Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has warned that the country is heading towards another revolution.
He made the remarks while addressing the opening rally of the 11-party alliance’s Dhaka-Khulna-Jhenaidah-Kushtia long march at the south gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram in the capital on Saturday (October 31).
“Another revolution is knocking at our door,” Shafiqur Rahman said.
He stated that the alliance had taken to the streets not for any personal or party-specific interests, but to press for public demands. He also said the previous two long marches had been successful with public support.
Referendum Verdict at the Centre of Seven Demands
The opposition leader said the most important of the alliance’s seven demands was the implementation of the public verdict in the referendum.
According to him, if this demand were fulfilled, there would be no need for movements over the remaining six demands.
He accused the BNP government of betraying the people and disappointing them. He also warned that the BNP would have to pay a heavy price if it failed to implement the referendum verdict.
Addressing the government, he said it was creating a new crisis instead of learning from past mistakes.
He urged the government to implement the referendum verdict and declared that the movement would continue until the demands were met. He also called on young people not to be misled and sought public cooperation to make the long march successful.
The seven demands of the 11-party alliance include implementing the referendum verdict, bringing those responsible for the July massacre to justice, resolving shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, controlling the prices of essential commodities, ending corruption, extortion and land grabbing, improving law and order, and stopping partisan influence across institutions.
Other Leaders Raise Concerns Over Government Policies
Addressing the rally, LDP Chairman and former minister Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram said an effective system was essential for properly running the country.
He alleged that since the current government came to power, district offices, city corporations and various other corporations had turned into extensions of BNP offices. He further claimed that government tenders were being controlled from these offices.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar accused the BNP of moving towards fascism by following the wrong path.
He also alleged that instead of pursuing constitutional reform, the government was moving towards one-party rule by forming a constitutional amendment committee.
Porwar claimed that the government had disrespected the people by failing to implement the July Charter. He also condemned the reported injuries sustained by 11-party alliance activists during the by-election in Thakurgaon-1.
Other speakers included AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party Ameer Maulana Abdul Qayum Sobahani, JAGPA Vice-President Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Jamaat Executive Council Member Nurul Islam Bulbul, MP Mohammad Selim Uddin, Chhatra Shibir Central President Nurul Islam Saddam and DUCSU Vice-President Sadik Kayem.
The rally was conducted by Jamaat Executive Council Member and Dhaka South City unit Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud and Dhaka North City unit Assistant Secretary Dr. Fakhruddin Manik.
