Jamaat puts party over state interest: Rizvi
Rizvi criticises Jamaat over political priorities and remittance remarks
Bdbusinessdaily.com – BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of putting partisan calculations ahead of the country’s wider interests, linking that allegation to what he described as the party’s political conduct in 1971, 1986 and 2024.
Speaking on 9 October at an awards ceremony and discussion arranged by Zia Smriti Pathagar for its Komol Kuri essay competition, Rizvi said political activity should serve citizens and the state rather than the interests of a single organisation. Rizvi, who also serves as the prime minister’s political adviser, attended the programme as chief guest.
“Jamaat has never practised politics in the national interest or in the interest of the people; it has practised politics for its own party interests. The same was true in 1971, in 1986 and in 2024. They have always placed party interests before state interests.”
His comments brought a sharp political message to an event centred on students and essay writing. Rizvi used the occasion to argue that public debate should be judged by its possible effect on ordinary people, national stability and economic progress, rather than by immediate political advantage.
Concern over calls affecting remittances
Rizvi also addressed the arrest of Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman and criticised remarks by a senior opposition figure calling for a halt to remittance flows. He questioned both the basis for turning the issue into a political dispute and the practical meaning of asking expatriates to stop sending money home.
“Without considering the extent of an individual’s alleged offence, you are quickly turning the issue into a political one. Now one of your top leaders is calling for a remittance shutdown. But how will you do that? What does it mean to call for a remittance shutdown?”
The BNP leader said any disruption to remittance inflows could damage the country’s development efforts and broader economy. For many families, money sent by Bangladeshis living abroad is part of household financial support; at the national level, Rizvi described these inflows as an important force behind economic activity and development.
“Remittances are a driving force behind our development and national economy. You are threatening to shut down that driving force! What kind of politics do you practise?”
His criticism focused on the consequences of political appeals that could affect economic channels beyond party politics. Rizvi argued that political leaders should weigh how their statements may influence the public interest, especially when the matter concerns an important source of funds entering the country.
Call for a broader student politics
Rizvi also used his address to set out his view of what student politics should involve. He said it should not be restricted to processions, meetings or chants. Instead, students should build a fuller understanding of society, state institutions, domestic affairs and developments beyond Bangladesh.
He urged members of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal to improve themselves through academic achievement, knowledge and democratic practice. The appeal placed education and political awareness alongside activism, suggesting that students can contribute more effectively when they understand the institutions and social conditions around them.
In his remarks, Rizvi returned to the role of young people in the movement of 2024. He said youth had at times faced scepticism over whether they could bring meaningful change, but that their participation in the movement challenged those doubts.
He described the movement as an example of how commitment and collective effort among younger generations can influence society. The point was directed at students in particular: political engagement, in his view, must be matched by discipline, learning and an awareness of the consequences that political decisions can carry for the country.
Political debate and public responsibility
Rizvi’s speech combined criticism of a rival political force with a wider argument about responsibility in public life. His central claim was that party interests must not outweigh national welfare, whether the issue involves historical political conduct, current disputes or economic matters such as remittances.
The event therefore moved beyond its immediate focus on the Komol Kuri essay competition. Rizvi presented it as an opportunity to encourage young participants to think critically about politics, democratic conduct and the responsibilities that come with seeking change.
His remarks underscored a recurring tension in political discourse: leaders may disagree strongly over events and accountability, but calls that could affect the economy or public welfare invite scrutiny beyond partisan lines. Rizvi maintained that national interests, public well-being and economic stability should remain central considerations in political action.
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