Alleging widespread irregularities in the February 12 national election, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday said the party had accepted the results despite deep grievances to avert a civil war.
“We don’t want disorder in the country. We love the country. With immense pain in our hearts, we accepted the election results. But let no one think that we accepted them out of fear; we did so to prevent the country from descending into a civil war,” he said while addressing a rally in Khulna.
“We will not be intimidated by anyone’s threats. We will not bow to injustice. Our leaders, even in defeat, stood on the gallows with quiet smiles and taught us that, if necessary, we must be prepared to sacrifice ourselves for the nation.”
The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance organised the divisional rally at Khulna Circuit House Ground, demanding full implementation of the referendum verdict and measures to ease public suffering.
Shafiqur accused the BNP of failing to honour its commitments to the nation and urged the party to “correct its mistakes” and respect the people’s mandate.
“Even after repeatedly witnessing the consequences of not respecting the people’s verdict, if you still fail to learn, you will never learn,” he said.
Calling on supporters to prepare for what he termed “another inevitable revolution”, Shafiqur said the goal was to build a Bangladesh that could stand “with dignity, honour, strength and courage” as an independent and sovereign state.
He also urged young people to join efforts to build a humane society free from exploitation, corruption, extortion and partisan influence.
Referring to the election outcome, Shafiqur claimed that people across the country, including in Khulna, had delivered a referendum verdict and said the party would pursue that mandate through parliament.
“Votes were snatched through theft, robbery and engineering -- let that happen. We will continue to fight like lions in parliament with whatever strength we have, Insha’Allah,” he said.
He warned that if demands were not addressed in parliament, the party would take its movement to the streets.
“If the issue is not resolved in parliament, then we will speak where permission from the Speaker is not required. From the fields of Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Rajshahi and Bogura, volcanoes will emerge. In the wildfire of those volcanoes, all rubbish will be reduced to ashes.”
The Jamaat chief also warned against what he described as submission to foreign influence.
“We are clearly telling the government that if the people of this country and we see you bowing before any hegemonic force, we will not spare you either,” he said.
Referring to border tensions, he alleged that attempts were being made to provoke instability and claimed that another country was trying to push its citizens into Bangladesh illegally.
“We do not want to disturb the peace of any neighbour. But we also do not want any neighbour to extend a black hand towards us. If anyone does so, then, relying on Almighty Allah, I say that black hand will be broken, Insha’Allah.”
Speaking at the rally, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmad said reforms were necessary to prevent the return of authoritarian rule.
“We want to ensure that no one becomes autocratic in the future and that no one can monopolise power again,” he said.
Addressing the BNP, Oli added, “If they do not accept these reforms willingly, they must be made to accept them. They cannot simply be let go.”
He also alleged that India had systematically undermined morality, good governance and democratic values in Bangladesh.
The rally, chaired by Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, was also addressed by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque, National Citizen Party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Khelafat Majlish Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Sakhawat Hossain, and JAGPA Vice-President Rashed Pradhan, among others.
