Amid rising tensions before Bangladesh’s February 12 election, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman condemned Jamaat-e-Islami for making offensive comments about women. The criticism followed Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman’s social media post where he implied that women leaving their homes for modernity face exploitation, moral decline, and insecurity, likening it to “another form of prostitution,” sparking widespread backlash. Tarique, addressing a rally in Khulna district, emphasized that disrespecting women and making scandalous remarks cannot align with patriotism or people-centric values.
Tarique further highlighted the issue by pointing out a leader’s statement rejecting women’s leadership and making derogatory comments about working women, labeling it as a disgrace to society. He emphasized the significant role of women in the workforce, especially in times of economic challenges, where both spouses contribute to running households. Reports indicated that after the post went viral, Jamaat claimed the account was hacked, leading to skepticism about the authenticity of the claim and the leader’s involvement in the controversy.
In response to the hacking claim, Tarique dismissed it as a lie, criticizing the party for resorting to deception in the face of criticism. He emphasized that such dishonesty from a political leader only serves self-interests and exploits religion for personal gains. Earlier, Jamaat’s Women’s Wing Secretary stated that women could not hold top leadership roles in the party due to Islamic principles, sparking debates on gender equality and religious interpretations. Critics warn that Jamaat’s continued misogynistic stance and exclusion of women candidates in the upcoming election could steer the nation towards regressive politics.
