Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said the government should bring deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to the country on its own responsibility to let her face trial, while accusing the Awami League of having “destroyed the country’s politics” and saying the party is in no position to return to political activity.

He made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting with local journalists at the Bagerhat Circuit House in the morning.

“The Awami League has destroyed the country’s politics. It established a reign of terror in the country and left countless mothers grieving. Many people were subjected to enforced disappearance, and not all of them have yet returned,” Shafiqur said.

He said the party cannot return to politics simply by changing its appearance. “The Awami League has not apologised so far, nor is there any remorse among its leaders. Provocations from the neighbouring country are continuing,” he said, warning against allowing leaders and activists of the party to join Jamaat just to boost its strength.

Jamaat chief, however, made it clear that permission from the central leadership is needed to take anyone into their party. “No one has sought such permission from us. Therefore, no one has been taken into the party,” he said.

Responding to a question from journalists about Hasina, he said the government should bring her back on its own responsibility. “She should be allowed to face the verdict delivered against her and the judicial proceedings that are still pending. The trial should be conducted on the basis of fairness. We do not want an unjust trial,” he said.

On parliamentary proceedings, Shafiqur said the opposition is sometimes prevented from speaking freely when strategic issues come up in Parliament.

He said opposition lawmakers sometimes face procedural obstacles when trying to speak, but the Speaker does not stop them once they stand to speak. “I hope the government will remove these obstacles,” he said.

The opposition leader said the country is facing multiple problems, including shortages of oil, gas and electricity. “The people have become frustrated with the activities of the government within a short time. The people will assess the activities of both the ruling and opposition parties over five years. After five years, the people will deliver their verdict,” he said.

He said there should be no place for the use of physical force in politics.

“Unfortunately, since the birth of Bangladesh, we have seen the use of muscle power in politics. Politics is about principles; there is no place for physical force here. Politics should be conducted with wisdom and judgement. The purpose of politics is to serve the people,” he said.

Shafiqur claimed that four Jamaat members were killed in the country since the parliamentary elections held in February.

He said Jamaat cooperates with the government wherever cooperation is needed and opposes it wherever opposition is necessary.

The Jamaat ameer also said though the ruling party runs the government, not all people vote for it. “People vote according to their choice. This is the language of democracy,” he said.

He also claimed that the media is not fully free and should be allowed to operate independently.

District Jamaat organised the meeting, chaired by its Ameer Maulana Rezaul Karim.

Later, Shafiqur Rahman attended the district Jamaat members (Rukon) conference on the Alia Madrasah premises in Bagerhat town.