Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday alleged that the BNP had shown “disregard” for the spirit of the 2024 July Uprising by declining to take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.
Speaking to reporters inside the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Shafiqur claimed the ruling party had failed to uphold the public mandate for reform.
“By avoiding the Reform Council oath, they have ignored the aspirations of the people. Their position against reform is now evident,” he said.
Earlier in the day, newly elected BNP lawmakers were sworn in as members of parliament at the Oath Room of Parliament. The oath was administered by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. However, they did not take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.
Dr Shafiqur noted that although Jamaat and its allies received the official notification late Monday night, they attended the ceremony to take both oaths out of what he described as civic duty and respect for the people.
He pointed out that in the past, the parliamentary and Reform Council oaths were typically administered together, but this time only the parliamentary oath was completed.
He stressed that the 2026 national election was made possible because of the July Uprising and described honouring its goals - as well as the verdict of the referendum - as a “sacred political responsibility” for his party.
Addressing BNP’s explanation that the matter would be reviewed in parliament during a provisional period, Dr Shafiqur said Jamaat expected immediate action.
“If they genuinely honour the July movement and the reform agenda, and if the Prime Minister who campaigned for a ‘yes’ vote is sincere, the oath should be taken without delay,” he said.
The Jamaat chief also reiterated his party’s stance against accepting government plots or tax-free vehicles.
He further alleged that activists of the 11-party alliance were facing continued attacks, and called on the authorities to take visible measures to prevent such incidents.
Commenting on the appointment of former interim government National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman as a technocrat minister, Shafiqur Rahman described the decision as “not fair” and questioned its neutrality.
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