Dhaka-18: NCP candidate Ariful Islam pledges women’s safety

Women’s safety, dignity and respect will be ensured both at home and in the workplace to safeguard their rights, said Ariful Islam, the NCP candidate of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance in Dhaka-18.

“Women’s security and dignity are not privileges; they are fundamental rights. Without ensuring that women are safe and respected, overall national progress is impossible,” he said while addressing a women’s rally in the Dakshinkhan area of Uttara today (4 February).

The rally was organised by the women’s wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dakshinkhan thana unit near Mollartek Central Jame Mosque at around 11am.

Outlining his plans for women voters in Dhaka-18, Ariful said special transport services would be introduced to ensure safe movement, CCTV cameras would be installed in public transport, and hygienic public toilets would be built at different locations.

He also called for impartial investigations and justice in all killings during Hasina’s rule.

“Citizens’ rights have not been properly established under the state system followed since independence. Therefore, constitutional reform is now necessary,” he said.

Ariful urged voters to support the ‘July National Charter’ through a referendum. “It must be implemented through a ‘yes’ vote,” he said.

He said the upcoming election was not merely about a change of power, but about protecting Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty from domination by other countries, including India.

“It is also an election to safeguard the people’s beliefs, culture and freedom of life,” he said, adding that these goals had led to the formation of the 11-party “Oikkoboddho Bangladesh” alliance, comprising the NCP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, among others.

“Our main goal is to ensure justice for all killings, carry out fundamental state reforms, and take a firm stand against Indian hegemony,” he said.

“The Oikkoboddho Bangladesh alliance is also committed to building united resistance against terrorism, corruption and extortion,” he added.

Criticising the BNP, Ariful claimed that the party was fostering violence in the country.

“Not only are we being attacked in connection with the election, but those who long took part alongside the BNP in anti-fascist movements and endured repression together are now being injured and killed in attacks by BNP leaders and activists,” he said.

He further alleged that since the July Uprising, more than 150 BNP leaders and activists had been killed in internal conflicts.

“Those who have failed to ensure the safety of their own leaders and activists – how will they ensure the security of ordinary people?” he added.

After the rally, the Jamaat-NCP-backed candidate of the 10-party alliance carried out door-to-door campaigning and distributed leaflets in several areas.

“July fighter” Atikul Gazi, who lost a hand, joined the programme in solidarity.

Earlier in the day, a procession in support of the ‘Shapla Koli’ election symbol was brought out from the Kasaibari Railgate area at 10am and concluded near Mollartek Central Jame Mosque after passing through Kosaibazar.