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Calling for an end to the politics of vendetta, Jamaat-e-Islami amir Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said that his party forgave all other political parties and it had no complaint against anyone.

‘I am telling you [journalists] as witnesses that as a political party we have no complaint against any parties. We forgive everyone,’ the Jamaat chief said while addressing a views exchange meeting with journalists at a city hotel in Dhaka.

‘But the one who has committed a specific crime, who has perpetrated crimes,  will not be punished for that specific crime, be it with you, be it with me, be it with anyone. If this justice is not confirmed then there will be no correction in the society,’ he said.

If justice was not ensured people would go beyond control, he said, adding that it would become a different and reckless situation.

‘That is why it is a demand for justice, a demand for justice, a demand for civilization, a demand for sociality and a demand for peace,’ he said.

In that case, he said that if the victims took appropriate initiatives, all political-social-cultural-journalists needed to support that initiative.

‘But if it is something inconsistent, we are not with it,’ he said.

Referring to the various cases filed recently, he said, ‘Hundreds of accused are made in a murder case. How logical it is, it should be thought a hundred times. But behind this, the main perpetrator’s chance to survive is being created.’

‘We said that we were more oppressed than everyone, there was no need for such a case. Some symbolic cases are sufficient for human learning,’ he said.

He said that Jamaat wanted an end to the politics of violence and division from the country.

‘We want the politics of violence to be sent to the grave. We want the politics of division to be sent to the grave so that it cannot raise its head anymore. We do not want the nation to be divided on any issue. In all cases, we want the nation to stand united,’ he said.

Highlighting Jamaat’s position regarding press freedom, he said, ‘You [journalists] have asked us to promise to ensure an environment in which journalists can work from a place of independent conscience. I promise on behalf of the party, you will put it on record, if ever this opportunity comes to us, you will get the promise that you hope for.’

‘It hurts us a lot when one group says Pakistani Razakar, another group says Hindustani Razakar, it hurts a lot. I am making the people of my country the brokers of another country, making them razakars, why am I doing this?’ he said.

‘Those who do this should change their mentality. How can a nation that does not recognise its own citizens get respect in the world?’ he said.

Journalists form different media outlets and journalist forums attended the views exchange meeting.