Staff Reporter:
The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest rally demanding the implementation of the recent referendum verdict.
The demonstration is scheduled to be held on Saturday (4 April) after Asr prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
The announcement was made by the alliance on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier, at a press conference held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday evening, Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s actions regarding the referendum outcome. He said the opposition was “surprised, hurt, and disappointed” by the ruling party’s position on the issue.
“We will launch a movement with the people to ensure the implementation of the people’s verdict, Insha’Allah, and we will not stop until our demands are met,” he said.
On the sixth day of the first parliamentary session, members of the Jamaat-led opposition alliance staged a walkout from parliament. The walkout took place at around 5:45pm on Wednesday following discussions on an adjournment motion.
Opposition members alleged that the government had failed to issue the July Charter order and also accused authorities of misidentifying the opposition leader.
Drawing the speaker’s attention before the walkout, Shafiqur said they had sought remedies on an issue that was not related to any particular political party. He noted that both the ruling and opposition parties had previously agreed on the matter before the election and had even campaigned in support of it.
“We did not get any remedy. This is not just a matter for us; it means the people’s verdict has not been reflected or properly valued. As the opposition, we cannot accept this disregard, and that is why we are staging this walkout in protest,” he said.
In response, the speaker urged the opposition members to remain in the session, saying another adjournment motion would be taken up later where their concerns might be addressed.
He noted that while staging a walkout was their democratic right, they could consider waiting to hear the outcome of the proposal before leaving the chamber.
Despite the request, the opposition members proceeded with their walkout.
