Lawyer hands out cash during Jamaat campaign in city

A short video has gone viral on Facebook where Supreme Court lawyer Barrister ASM Shahriar Kabir is seen handing out cash while campaigning for Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka-15 constituency.

In the clip, Kabir is seen speaking to a betel leaf and cigarette vendor, asking about his business. The vendor replies that the country’s situation is “not good”, saying “everyone is in fear” and that he is unsure what will happen if a new government comes. Kabir then went on to ask if a new government came, which one would be good.

During the conversation, which took place on Saturday, Kabir tells the vendor, “We are Muslims. Besides Allah, no one has the power to make things good.” He asks who controls people’s livelihood and their meeting at that moment. When the vendor answers, “Allah,” Kabir asks whether the country would be better off if it were run beyond the dictates of Allah.

Kabir also asks whether people live longer in the grave or in the world. The vendor responds, “In the grave,” and at that, Kabir says one should focus on being well there.

Moments later, Kabir folds a Tk 1,000 note and places it in the man’s hand, the video shows.

The Daily Star spoke to Kabir yesterday after the video went viral. He said he was campaigning for the Jamaat ameer in Mirpur area and that he gave the money on humanitarian grounds and not as an electoral bribe.

“I don't even know if that person is a voter in Mirpur. He was just selling betel leaf and cigarettes there,” he said.

“If I gave money to buy votes, I would do it secretly. Does anyone buy votes by handing out cash in front of the media?” he said.

Asked whether the way the money was folded and placed into the vendor’s hand appeared consistent with a normal act of charity, Kabir said, “When you give charity, you sometimes have to do it discreetly, so maybe that’s why I did it that way.”

He added that he spoke to 500-700 people there and did not give money to everyone.

Contacted, Dhaka-15 Returning Officer Md Yunus Ali told The Daily Star he had not yet seen the video and was therefore unaware of the issue.

He, however, added, “If anyone gives money during election campaigning, that is a violation of the electoral code of conduct.”

Yunus said the EC would take action if anyone files a complaint.