Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed support for the government’s decision to construct the Padma Barrage, while also calling for urgent implementation of the long-pending Teesta Mega Project to address the country’s water management challenges.
He made the remarks while speaking at a rally in Rajshahi on Saturday, where he described the Padma River as facing severe seasonal imbalance, becoming dry in the winter months and causing flooding during the monsoon.
Welcoming the Padma Barrage initiative, he cautioned that the project should not remain symbolic. He stressed that parallel progress must also be made on the Teesta Mega Project, which he said has been under discussion for years.
The rally, organised by an 11-party alliance at the historic Madrasa Maidan, also called for implementation of referendum decisions, reduction of public suffering, and securing Bangladesh’s fair share of water from the Padma River.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman criticised earlier water-sharing arrangements with India, alleging that agreements such as the Farakka Barrage deal had continued far longer than initially intended and had negatively affected river flow and agriculture.
He said many of the country’s transboundary rivers have lost navigability, raising concerns about irrigation, canals and overall water availability. According to him, river restoration and canal excavation should be treated as urgent national priorities.
The Jamaat leader also raised political concerns, claiming that several ordinances necessary for governance reforms had been ignored. He warned that his party would continue both parliamentary and street movements if those issues were not addressed.
Referring to foreign relations without naming any country, he said Bangladesh seeks peaceful ties but will not accept hostile attitudes or threats. He also emphasised national unity, saying the country belongs equally to all religious communities.
He further called for resistance against corruption and extortion, arguing that economic mismanagement and irregularities in key sectors had worsened unemployment and weakened the economy.
The programme was chaired by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, who also serves as MP from Sirajganj-4 constituency.
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