Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today expressed anger over placing the managing director of Islami Bank on compulsory leave, alleging that following developments at Bangladesh Bank, "a fresh takeover" had begun at the country’s largest bank.

“Jamaat will not remain silent if such malpractice continued. If a bank contributing 32 percent of the country’s remittances faced an existential threat, the economy will be pushed into the Bay of Bengal,” he said while speaking as chief guest at a seminar in Dhaka.

The seminar titled, “Government against the referendum verdict: The country facing a crisis”, was held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in Kakrail.

The event was organised by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance as part of an ongoing movement, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict.

Cautioning against politicisation, the Jamaat ameer said continued interference in banks would provoke public backlash.

He also said a “shadow of fascism” is once again visible in the Jatiya Sangsad, urging lawmakers to exercise restraint in their language. “Those now in government had once been subjected to dismissive remarks in parliament. One or two members have started using similar language against us.”

Recalling past experiences, he added that the consequences of such conduct were already evident.

At the seminar, he warned against intimidation, saying the generation shaped by the July movement “does not bow” to such tactics.

Addressing the government, he said: “You are walking down that path. We do not see you among the people; instead, you are concentrating everything in your own hands.”

Referring to the movement for implementing the referendum verdict, Shafiqur said it was not driven by opportunism or power-sharing, but by the need to respect “the will of 70 percent of the people”, honour the martyrs and fulfil the aspirations of the July fighters.

“We do not want to turn our children into anyone’s subjects. Nor will we tolerate any family-based rule in Bangladesh. This vicious cycle in politics must be broken,” he said.

He also criticised the use of parliamentary time for mutual praise, saying one-third of proceedings should not be spent on such exchanges.

Speaking at the event, Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam said issues raised over the past 16 years, including during the interim government, are again driving fresh discussion and mobilisation.

He alleged that BNP had led the country into the current crisis and would bear responsibility for its consequences.