BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sharply criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for using religion to gain political advantage, questioning the notion that supporting Jamaat guarantees spiritual reward. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Islamic Foundation Caretaker Welfare Council in Dhaka, Fakhrul said religion should not be misused for political benefit. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had given Jamaat the opportunity to re-enter politics, but lamented that the party has been inactive in anti-government movements over the past decade. Fakhrul also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of undermining citizens’ rights, including voting and religious freedom, while falsely claiming to defend Islam. Citing Indonesia’s model of religious institutional consultation, he noted Bangladesh lacks such structures. He called for national unity to ensure a fair and credible election that would restore democracy and empower parliament to address national issues.