Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said that his party will never compromise on Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. Speaking at a rally, Taher declared: “Some try to scare us by saying that if we come to power, India will invade. I pray they do invade. Once they do, the false stigma placed upon us in 1971 will disappear, and we will have the chance to prove ourselves as true freedom fighters. At least five million youths will wage a war of independence against India.” Taher elaborated that one group would launch guerrilla attacks while the other would spread out across the region, igniting a full-scale resistance. He also linked the idea to prophetic traditions of battle. Criticizing the Awami League, Taher claimed the ruling party would never fight India but rather assist them. “When the time comes, the organized force will be us. Then we will be the true liberation fighters, and no one will be able to devour Bangladesh,” he said.