Demands impartial probe into train, bus arson and vandalism; says crime, not political identity, should be basis of justiceDesk Report: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned and protested against the remarks of BNP Acting Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi that linked Jamaat to a recent train arson incident, terming it baseless, unethical and politically motivated.In a statement issued today, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and Secretary of the Central Publicity and Media Department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said:“Without any investigation, credible evidence or proof of organizational involvement of the persons concerned with Jamaat-e-Islami, shifting the blame for a train arson onto Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is completely unethical, irresponsible, ill-intentioned and politically motivated. We strongly condemn and protest the remarks made by Mr. Rizvi.”Advocate Zubair said while the BNP Acting Secretary General himself has demanded answers as to who were involved in incidents of bus arson, bomb attacks and vandalism in different places, the same principle should have been applied to the train arson — demanding a fair investigation to identify the real culprits.“But trying to blame Jamaat-e-Islami without any proof is extremely unfortunate and politically motivated,” he added.He reiterated that Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami does not believe in the politics of terrorism, arson, bombing, anarchy and destruction of public property. If any individual or group is involved in such crimes, whatever their political identity may be, they should be brought to justice through an impartial investigation and due legal process.Referring to vandalism at Rajshahi Railway Station, Zubair said asking the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami to hold a long march over a vandalism incident cannot be an alternative to investigating the main incident and identifying those responsible. Who were involved in that incident, what is their political identity and what action has been taken against them — these issues need to be clarified before the nation through an impartial investigation, he said.Linking a party’s name to a crime to hurt a political opponent is not a healthy political culture and such statements can create confusion and political tension in society, he observed.“We expect more restrained, fact-based and responsible statements from responsible political leaders,” he said.Calling upon the BNP Acting Secretary General, Zubair said, “If you have any allegation, present specific information and evidence before the nation. Avoid the political culture of making accusations before investigation and giving verdict before evidence.”He demanded an impartial investigation into all acts of sabotage and violence, including train arson, bus arson, bomb attacks and vandalism, and said, “Not the political identity of the criminal, but the evidence of the crime should be the basis of justice — that is the demand of the rule of law.”He also called for withdrawal of Mr. Rizvi’s statement, demanded an impartial investigation to unearth the true facts, and urged him to refrain from any attempt to tarnish the image of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami through propaganda or baseless allegations.