The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance yesterday announced a protest programme demanding constitutional reform in line with a referendum verdict.

The programme is scheduled to be held at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 5:00pm tomorrow.

“Alongside the programme, the opposition would seek to build public opinion through outreach and leaflet distribution to press home the demand,” Hamidur Rahman Azad, Jamaat assistant secretary general, told reporters following a liaison committee meeting of the combine in the capital’s Gulshan area.

He added that seminars and symposiums would also be organised on the implementation of the referendum and the July charter.

“Opposition would be compelled to announce tougher programmes if the government continues to ignore public opinion. The next course of action will be decided at a meeting of the alliance’s top leaders on April 7,” said the Jamaat leader.

However, the government believes the opposition is trying to put pressure on it mainly through street protests, with the demand for implementing the July charter as a part of its strategy, said a top BNP leader requesting not to be named.

The opposition’s protests come at a time when the government is already facing multiple issues, including the impact of the Israel-US war on Iran and a measles outbreak.

Talking to reporters, Jamaat leader Azad said the ruling party has taken a position against the referendum, which he described as unfortunate.

He alleged that this amounts to denying the commitments that led to the formation of the interim government and the subsequent election.

“The 15th amendment to the constitution, which scrapped the caretaker government system, had paved the way for authoritarian rule. During the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, it resulted in constitutional autocracy. The current government is following the same path.”

Azad also spoke about the ongoing fuel crisis, accusing the government of providing misleading information.

He added that despite claims of no shortage, fuel is not available at filling stations.

At the same time, he noted that the government’s proposal to hold online classes three days a week to reduce transport costs contradicts its own assessment of the situation.