Patuakhali Correspondent: Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Jamaat-e-Islami, has taken responsibility for three disabled Hindu brothers by donating his parliamentary salary and allowances. In a video message posted on his verified Facebook page on Thursday morning Dr. Masud—who is a member of the Central Executive Council of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Secretary of Dhaka City South, and former Central President of Islami Chhatra Shibir—announced that the equivalent of one month`s salary and allowances received as an MP would be provided immediately to the family of three disabled brothers, Ripon Das, Sadhu Das, and Nidhu Das, from Chadakathi village in Dhulia Union of his constituency, Patuakhali-2 (Bauphal). In addition, arrangements are being made, God willing, to rebuild their house and ensure their regular food and living expenses.
Speaking with this correspondent over the phone, MP Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud thanked journalists, saying that journalists are the mirror of society. He stated that as soon as he became aware of the brothers’ inhumane living conditions through news reports and video footage produced by journalists, he contacted local dignitaries and leaders of the Hindu community. As an immediate measure, he provided an amount equal to one month`s parliamentary salary and allowances for the three brothers. He also confirmed that arrangements are being made to reconstruct their home and provide for their regular meals and daily needs.
He said that although the state is constitutionally obligated to ensure all citizens` fundamental rights—including food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare—even after 55 years of independence these rights have not been fully secured. According to him, this is because British and Pakistani laws continue to operate in the country under the banner of nationalism. He argued that laws made by humans have not provided, and cannot provide, equal opportunities and benefits to all sections of society. Rather, such laws primarily benefit those who create them and those in power. Governments, he claimed, make laws and amend the constitution for their own advantage.
He further stated that no government has undertaken constitutional reform. He noted that the BNP came to power after promising constitutional reform in its 31-point agenda before the election. However, after forming the government, BNP leaders reportedly stated that the constitution could not be reformed but only amended. He described this position as hypocrisy and a direct betrayal of the nation. He called on the government to honor its promises by establishing a Constitutional Reform Council instead of deceiving the people.
Dr. Masud said, “If an Islamic society is established, the state will fully ensure the fundamental rights of all people.” He therefore called upon every member of society to contribute, from their respective positions, toward building an Islamic society.
In response to a question, he stated that Jamaat-e-Islami does not engage in politics based on religion. According to him, Jamaat-e-Islami regards all people—regardless of political affiliation, religion, race, ethnicity, or community—as equal citizens of the state. For this reason, he said, all of the party’s social welfare activities are conducted without discrimination based on political belief, religion, race, ethnicity, or community.
Emphasizing that Islam strictly instructs the protection of the rights, security, and safety of followers of other religions, he stated that there is no scope for division based on minority status within an Islamic social and state system. As citizens, all people would be guaranteed equal opportunities and facilities by the state.
He concluded by saying that Jamaat-e-Islami has previously demonstrated to the public that it fulfills what it promises and carries out in practice what it declares.
