The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance yesterday announced a series of divisional long marches and a grand rally in Dhaka, demanding the implementation of the July National Charter and the referendum verdict, as well as cuts in fuel, gas and electricity prices.
The programmes were announced by opposition leader and alliance chief Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, during a sit-in at Muktangan in Paltan, organised over what the alliance described as a fuel and gas crisis, “ghost bills” for electricity, deteriorating law and order and spiralling prices of essential commodities.
The movement would also seek the immediate trial of those responsible for mass killings, improvements in public security and an end to what he termed narrow partisan control of state institutions, Shafiqur said.
According to the announcement, the alliance will organise road marches from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5, to Rangpur on September 19, and to Khulna on October 10.
A rail march from Dhaka to Sylhet is scheduled for October 24, followed by a grand rally in the capital on November 14.
The movement would continue until their demands are met, Shafiqur said.
“The newly announced long marches are aimed at realising the people’s demands -- they should not be obstructed as in the past. If obstacles are created, the marches will reach their destinations with twice the momentum,” he said.
Among those present at the programme were Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Oli Ahmad and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, who also serves as the opposition chief whip.
At the rally, Shafiqur read out the alliance’s 11-point charter of demands.
“We are here today to place these 11 demands in the hands of the people. These demands do not belong to any party, individual or group -- they are meant to protect the rights of 18 crore people.”
In an apparent reference to the Awami League, the opposition leader said: “Those who silenced dissent with bullets, killings, enforced disappearances, repression, forced displacement and the destruction of businesses will never again be allowed to assert themselves in this country while we are alive.”
Addressing the gathering, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said the Monsoon Revolution took place in 2024 and if necessary, it will happen again in 2026.
“That depends on the government’s behaviour. If the BNP government, if Tarique Rahman’s government, cannot ensure people’s basic rights -- gas, electricity, employment and affordable commodities -- then it should not dream of remaining in power.”
Nahid also accused the government of failing to fulfil its election pledge of creating employment.
The activists of the ruling party’s student wing are attacking opposition student organisations and attempting to establish control over university campuses, he said.
“Those who participated in the July uprising are still active on campuses, and no new form of domination will be allowed,” he added.
The sit-in, held on the last working day of the week, drew thousands of activists from Jamaat and other alliance partners. Heavy traffic congestion in surrounding areas caused severe disruption and suffering for commuters.
At the end of the programme, Shafiqur announced that alliance leaders and activists would march on foot towards the Secretariat.
“This Secretariat does not belong to any political party. Every brick, stone, rod and bag of cement belongs to the people of this country. Those sitting there -- ministers and MPs alike -- must listen to the people and heed their demands. Our demands today are simple: we want gas in our kitchens. Stop making our mothers cry. We want electricity in every home. Stop making false statements in parliament. We want safe drinking water and adequate gas supplies for transportation.”
Alleging that the government was deliberately creating a crisis to justify price hikes, Shafiqur said: “You have already increased LPG prices -- withdraw that decision. If you do not, we will be forced to lay siege to the relevant offices. We understand the manoeuvre to increase gas prices. Creating shortages is the first step, followed by price hikes. We will not allow that to happen, God willing.”
After the sit-in, leaders and activists of the alliance headed towards the Secretariat to press their demands, but police stopped them near Gate No. 1 and shut the other entrances.
A brief scuffle broke out between police and protesters.
Alliance leaders, including Shafiqur, then addressed supporters from outside the Secretariat.
Initially, the Jamaat chief gave the government 10 minutes to send a representative, assuring that no one would be disrespected.
When no representative arrived within the deadline, he expressed disappointment and said: “We are leaving for today.”
