Staff Reporter:
Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Friday warned of launching simultaneous non-stop protests in parliament and on the streets if the government fails to implement the referendum mandate related to the July Charter.
As part of the movement, the party has called a major rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Saturday, where the attendants would include July Uprising participants, and families of martyrs.
“If you (the government) do not accept this mandate, we will launch a tougher street movement to compel you to do so. The protest will continue in parliament and on the streets simultaneously,” Shafiqur said addressing a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday.
The rally was organised by the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis to press for implementation of the referendum outcome.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque presided over the programme. In his presidential speech, he accused the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of taking a contradictory position.
He said the party had supported the referendum ahead of the 12 February elections but was now unwilling to accept its outcome.
He warned that the movement would continue until the demand is met and announced a three-month programme. The party will hold rallies in all districts in May, June and July, followed by a mass procession in the capital on 5 August.
Calling on party leaders and activists to make the programme successful, Mamunul said the government would be compelled to accept the people’s mandate.
In his speech, Shafiqur strongly criticised the government for not honouring the July Charter and urging it to implement the public mandate without delay.
He warned that failure to do so could lead to consequences similar to those faced by the former Bangladesh Awami League government.
“The fascist Awami League government divided the nation through different narratives. The BNP government should not follow that path,” he said.
He further said that the Constitution must reflect the will of the people rather than any party position.
Opposition Chief Whip and Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Md Nahid Islam said the July Uprising was not meant to replace one political party with another, but to bring systemic change.
He said accepting parliamentary election results while rejecting the referendum outcome was inconsistent.
“The streets and parliament will become one if necessary. If you do not implement the people’s mandate, you will not be able to stop the tide on the streets,” he said.
He alleged that Maulana Mamunul Haque was prevented from winning a parliamentary seat through “conspiracy.” However, the Islamic leader cannot be held back on the streets, Nahid warned.
Nahid said that the opposition alliance has shown restraint in opposing the government’s contradictory moves in view of the multiple crises plaguing the country at the moment: inflation, fuel crisis, and a sudden measles outbreak. The opposition is trying to support the government in navigating the crises, but the government is continuing to break trust.
He alleged that the BNP-led government has been politicizing universities, state institutions, and also coveting the judicial system. The people of Bangladesh will not tolerate this renewal of fascism, and will deal the same blow that was dealt to the recent fascist rulers.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Oli Ahmad also urged the government to implement the July Charter in line with the referendum, cautioning that failure would trigger a stronger protest.
AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju criticised the BNP for rejecting a referendum verdict endorsed by the people despite being elected through votes.
He drew a parallel with the post-1970 election stance of Yahya Khan and said political disregard for public mandate had previously led to conflict.
Other leaders, including Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Rashed Prodhan and Nasir Uddin Patwary, also spoke at the rally.
