Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday accused the BNP of “clearly deceiving the nation” by opposing key state reforms.
“The BNP is opposing every necessary reform required to establish good governance and ensure true independence for the people,” he said, adding that the ruling party is “going against even its own reform proposals and manifesto”.
Shafiqur, who is also the leader of the opposition in parliament, made the comments while presiding over a rally at the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan, attended by the families of July uprising martyrs and injured activists.
Alleging a shift in BNP’s political stance, Shafiqur said, “They [BNP] have begun to follow the path of so-called fugitive fascists. No matter how hard they try, they cannot become the Awami League; at best, they are a weaker version that once mocked the nation and the opposition.”
He termed it “shameful” to reject the referendum verdict in which 70 percent voters supported reforms. “The day this verdict is implemented, fascism will truly end in this country.”
Addressing the BNP, he added, “Without the sacrifices of mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters in the July uprising, you would not be enjoying power today.”
“We all took part in the movement, but we could not reach the shore. The heroes of July brought the boat ashore and showed the nation the path to liberation. Learn to respect them; do not belittle them.”
Referring to recent incidents, the Jamaat chief condemned attacks on Ducsu members inside a police station and on Jamaat MP Masum Mostafa in Netrokona. “What kind of Bangladesh is this?” he asked.
He also warned against violence at educational institutions. “We want to see notebooks and pens, not machetes or axes. The culture of domination must stop. If not, remember that July is not confined to 2024; it will return.”
At the event, Rokeya Begum, mother of martyr Jabir Ibrahim and Jamaat candidate for a parliamentary seat reserved for women, spoke on behalf of the families.
Injured July activist Atikul Islam demanded the immediate implementation of the “70 percent people’s verdict”, warning that attempts to suppress it would force those in power to step down.
Tasmiya Pradhan, chairperson of Jagpa and another 11-Party Alliance candidate for the reserved seats, alleged that the government is “insulting July martyrs in parliament” by not implementing the July charter.
Nahid Islam, opposition chief whip and NCP convener, said ministers are claiming in parliament that there is no fuel crisis. They are “denying real problems, the economic crisis, and the gradual deterioration of law and order in the country”.
“We are fully prepared to cooperate with this government in the interest of the country and its people. But the government is closing all doors to such cooperation.”
LDP Chairman Col (retired) Oli Ahmad, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam, assistant secretaries general Rafiqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad, among others, spoke on the occasion.
