BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday launched a blistering attack on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami over its Ameer’s reported anti-women remarks on social media, urging women to deliver a decisive response at the ballot box to what he called “derogatory and disgraceful” statements.

Addressing a raucous election rally at Khalishpur Prabhati School ground, Tarique warned that the nation and its people—men and women alike—cannot be safe under forces that do not respect women and have a history of dishonouring them during the Liberation War.

“As the election approaches, parties naturally present their plans to the people. But one party is determined to keep half the nation—women—confined to their homes,” he said, alluding to Jamaat without naming it directly.

He recalled recent offensive comments by the Jamaat Ameer, who reportedly attacked women stepping out to earn a living. “The language used was so shameful, it embarrasses me even to repeat it. Such words are a disgrace to this country,” Tarique said.

Stressing the crucial role of women in nation-building, Tarique said BNP believes a country cannot be rebuilt by excluding nearly half its population. “Women make up almost 50 per cent of Bangladesh. No matter how big our plans or how tall our claims, the nation cannot progress if women are left behind,” he added.

Referring to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s tenure, Tarique highlighted her policies for female education, which allowed girls to study up to intermediate level, making them self-reliant. He also noted the contribution of millions of working women in households, agriculture, and the garment industry, saying, “With rising costs, a family can no longer survive on a single income. Women work—and they do so with dignity.”

Tarique invoked Islamic history, recalling that Prophet Muhammad’s (SM) wife Hazrat Khadija (RA) was a successful businesswoman. “Those who insult working women in the name of Islam are, in fact, dishonouring women not only in Bangladesh but across the world,” he said.

He posed a sharp warning: “If they speak this way about women before an election, imagine how they would treat women after coming to power.” Tarique also dismissed Jamaat’s claim that its social media account had been hacked, citing experts who declared such a hacking scenario implausible. “They are lying to the people before an election. This is their true character,” he said.

Tarique accused those who repeatedly deceive the public of being neither pro-people nor pro-country, noting that they exploit religion for personal gain. He pledged that BNP, if voted into power, would empower women, introducing a “family card” to every household to help women become self-reliant.

Calling directly on women voters, Tarique said: “Those who insult you must be answered. The time has come for you to decide how to respond.”

He questioned the hypocrisy of the party that insults its own female activists while sending them out for political activities. “If a leader can disrespect women within his own party, imagine how he would treat ordinary women of the country if given power,” he said, recalling atrocities committed against women by predecessors of such forces in 1971.

“Those who have no respect for human dignity can never ensure the safety of the country or its people, men or women,” he added, delivering a stark warning to voters as Bangladesh heads into a tense national election.

The BNP chief also alleged that a plot is going on to rig the voters and manipulate the election results by taking a long time for vote counting.

Calling for vigilance, Tarique said conspiracies over vote rigging have not ended and urged people to remain alert to protect their voting rights.

Outlining BNP’s plans, he promised to revive Khulna as a living industrial city, create jobs for women, establish IT parks for youths and introduce agricultural cards for farmers.

Tarique said BNP aims to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh by bringing together people of all religions and ensuring opportunities based on merit and competence.

He said BNP has experience in maintaining law and order and fighting corruption, recalling the contributions of martyr President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in establishing democracy.

“Our slogan is ‘Work together to build the country, Bangladesh first’. BNP alone has the experience to run the country in the right direction,” Tarique added.

Recently, a post from the verified X (formerly Twitter) account of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer sparked widespread criticism for allegedly making derogatory comments about working women.

Following public backlash, the party claimed the account had been hacked. However, digital experts and critics questioned the claim, saying there was no evidence of hacking.

The issue has since become a major topic in the election campaign, drawing strong reactions from political parties and civil society.