Mohammad Sarwar Alam, the Bangabhaban assistant programmer accused in the alleged hacking of Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s X account, was granted bail on Thursday.
The development exposes the flimsy foundation of Jamaat’s frantic “hacking” narrative—a desperate bid to deflect from their exposed misogynistic core amid mounting pre-election backlash. As investigators probe deeper, Jamaat’s pattern of evasion raises questions about its fitness for democratic participation, with critics labelling it a Taliban-style cover-up for regressive ideologies.
A Dhaka court granted bail to Mohammad Sarwar Alam on a Tk5,000 bond following a brief hearing before Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Mohammad Junaid. Sarwar, detained late Tuesday night from his residence near Rajarbag Police Lines, had been held by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police in connection with a case filed under the Cyber Security Act.
The arrest followed a high-drama visit by a Jamaat delegation to Bangabhaban on Tuesday, demanding action over the purported hack. That very night, police swooped in, seizing Sarwar’s mobile phone, computer hard drives, and other devices for forensic analysis.
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In court, Sarwar vehemently asserted his innocence, stating: “I swear consciously that in a few days, I will retire. At this age, my hands haven’t done such things. I haven’t even imagined it. I’ve given everything to the police for investigation—let them check if they find anything. I claim myself 100% innocent.”
His wife, Shameem Ara, echoed this outside the courtroom, insisting: “My husband is completely innocent. He’s served the government honourably for 32 years. Even a child knows a hacker wouldn’t leave their address behind. He’s not involved in any politics.” She highlighted his apolitical life, limited to work, home, and market visits, questioning why anyone nearing retirement would self-sabotage.
Anonymous DB sources revealed to media outlets that the arrest may have stemmed from political pressure, including discussions in a Home Ministry core committee meeting where Jamaat pushed for swift action. Early investigations suggest Sarwar’s official email was previously compromised, complicating claims of his direct involvement. DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam emphasised the need for forensic reports before conclusions, urging the public to avoid spreading misinformation.
Jamaat’s Hacking Hoax
The bail comes as Jamaat’s “hacking” excuse unravels, revealing it as a farcical attempt to obscure their misogynistic mindset. The controversy ignited on January 31 when a post from Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s verified X account equated women’s workforce participation with “another form of prostitution,” decrying modernity for pushing women out of homes and imposing “strict Islamic guidelines” on their public interactions.
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Jamaat swiftly deleted the post and cried foul, blaming a phishing email allegedly from a Bangabhaban address linked to Sarwar. They regained control within minutes and filed a general diary, followed by a press conference vowing to expose a “deep conspiracy.” Yet, the content mirrored Rahman’s own statements in interviews, where he justified Jamaat’s lack of female leaders, citing “biological differences” and “cultural barriers”—euphemisms for patriarchal control.
Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar’s initial “clarification” on February 3 condemned “misinterpretations” of the term “patitabritti” (prostitution), reframing it as criticism of workplace harassment and commodification of women. He urged women to “remain calm” while reaffirming Islamic restrictions—a backhanded endorsement that only amplified outrage. Just two hours later, Parwar’s account claimed another “hack,” attributing the clarification to a compromised team member’s profile.
This double-down on deception isn’t new; Jamaat has a history of “hacking” claims to erase inflammatory content that exposes their radical agenda. Analysts argue it’s a tactic to evade accountability for views that could alienate voters, especially women, ahead of elections. Rights groups like Human Rights Watch have raised alarms over such rhetoric normalizing violence and discrimination against women and minorities.
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Public Backlash
Streets and campuses have erupted in protests, with broom marches symbolising a “sweep” of Jamaat’s “filth.” Social media buzzes with condemnations, branding the party as “misogynistic extremists” poised to impose Taliban-like oppression if empowered. Opposition figures, including BNP’s Tarique Rahman, have dismissed the hacks as fabrications, calling for probes into Jamaat’s hate-mongering rather than phantom cyberattacks.
As forensics unfold, Sarwar’s bail shifts focus back to Jamaat’s credibility. Their baseless blame game—storming Bangabhaban and demanding 24-hour reports—smacks of desperation. International observers, including Amnesty International, are watching, urging Bangladesh to safeguard progress against such regressive forces.
In a nation striving for gender equality and secularism, Jamaat’s charade not only highlights their medieval misogyny but also underscores the peril of allowing extremists to masquerade as democrats. Voters must see through this smokescreen, demanding transparency and rejecting ideologies that demean women as electoral poison.
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