11-party to hold protest rally Saturday demanding implementation of referendum verdict

The 11-party electoral alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a protest rally and procession in the capital, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict. The rally and procession will be held next Saturday afternoon at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque.

Assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hamidur Rahman Azad, informed journalists of the matter today, Thursday afternoon, after a meeting of the 11-party liaison committee. The meeting was held at a residence in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP); Ahmad Abdul Qader, secretary general of Khelafat Majlis; Maulana Ataullah Amin, joint secretary general of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis; Rashed Prodhan, spokesperson of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa); Mostafizur Rahman (Iran), chairman of Bangladesh Labor Party, among others, were present.

After the meeting, Hamidur Rahman Azad told journalists that if the government does not resolve the referendum issue in parliament, the 11-party alliance will hold a protest procession and rally next Saturday at 5:00 pm at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque.

He added that the opposition will also try to build public opinion through outreach and leaflet distribution. At the same time, seminars and symposiums will be held on the implementation of the referendum and the July Charter. If the government still ignores public opinion, the opposition will be compelled to announce tougher programs.

The Jamaat leader further said that the ruling party has taken a position against the referendum, which is unfortunate. Through this, the commitments under which the interim government was formed and elections were held have been denied, the nation has been insulted, and the people have been deceived.

Hamidur Rahman Azad said that through the fifteenth amendment, the authoritarian government paved the way for authoritarianism and autocracy. Sheikh Hasina, he said, became a constitutional autocrat along that path. The current government is also walking the same path, which is wrong. Instead of merely amending the constitution, reforms must be carried out. And to carry out reforms, the referendum must be accepted. For that, a session of the Constitution Reform Council must be convened.

He added that if the parliament or the government fails in this regard, the opposition will have no alternative but to take to street. He said that today’s meeting discussed implementing the referendum verdict through reforms.

He also alleged that although there is a fuel crisis in the country, the government is resorting to deception. Even though the government claims there is no fuel shortage, fuel is not available at petrol pumps. At the same time, despite denying the crisis, the government has suggested holding online classes three days a week to reduce transport costs. He called this another ploy that would undermine the intellectual development of students.