Photo: BSS

GOPALGANJ, Sept 20, 2025 (BSS) - SM Jilani, President of the Bangladesh 
Jatiotabadi Swechhasebak Dal, today said that he had to endure inhuman 
torture for the last 17 years only for upholding an ideology.

"I was subjected to such inhuman torture just because I supported BNP. Doing 
politics is not my crime, it is my democratic right. So, why then people with 
different views or ideologies were tortured like this?" he said.

Jilani made these remarks while speaking at a workers' meeting as the chief 
guest held at the Rural Development Academy Hallroom organized by the 
Kotalipara Upazila unit of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Mohila Dal in Gopalganj 
here today.

Describing his plights and unprecedented torture that he had to go through 
only for doing politics of BNP over the last 17 years, Jilani said he was 
accused in numerous cases, remained in jails for years, was beaten up all 
throughout night in a hanging position with both hands tied up.

"I couldn't share such things with anyone rather had to cry. There was none 
to see my tears," he added.

Terming Tarique Rahman's 31-point Outline for Structural Reforms as the 
charter for freedom of the Bengali nation, he said that transforming the 
nation or all aspects of reforms were included in this 31-point Outline.

Gopalganj District Mohila Dal President Rawshanara Akhter Ratna was present 
as special guest at the workers' meeting chaired by Sabina Yasmin, convener 
of the Kotalipara Upazila Mohila Dal unit.

Upazila BNP President SM Mohiuddin, General Secretary Abul Bashar Howlader, 
Poura BNP President Yusuf Ali Daria, General Secretary Oliur Rahman Howlader, 
and Upazila Jubo Dal Member Secretary Mannan Sheikh spoke, among others, at 
the workers' meeting.