Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has warned that his party could leave Parliament if it no longer has the opportunity to speak on issues affecting the country while urging supporters to prepare for what he described as a new “revolution”.
Speaking at a rally in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on Tuesday, he said Jamaat would remain in Parliament only as long as it could effectively represent the public interest. “As long as there is an environment to speak in Parliament and as long as it is necessary to speak in the nation’s interest, we will stay there. But the day we feel there is no benefit in speaking in Parliament anymore, we will leave,” he said.
The rally was organised by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance to demand justice for alleged enforced disappearances, killings and mass killings during the Awami League era. The programme began at around 5:30pm and coincided with the founding anniversary of the Awami League, whose political activities are currently banned.
Addressing supporters, Dr Shafiqur Rahman alleged that more than 600 people had been killed since the BNP-led government took office, including more than 200 BNP activists. “If a party has no responsibility towards its own workers, how will it take responsibility of the 20-crore people? We see no signs of that responsibility. It is shameful,” he said.
He accused the government of moving towards what he called “another one-party fascist rule” through partisan appointments in universities, colleges, administrative institutions and other sectors. He warned that his party would launch another “revolution” if necessary to secure justice and accountability.
The Jamaat leader called for justice over several unresolved incidents, including the violence of 28 October 2006, the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, alleged enforced disappearances, political killings and the July-August uprising.
He also claimed that proceedings related to the July-August killings had slowed because of “political influence and appointments”. In addition, he demanded investigations into other deaths, including that of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Bin Hadi and a Shibir leader reportedly killed in Gaibandha on 21 June.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman said corruption, extortion, partisan governance and fascism had become entrenched problems in the country. He argued that another popular movement had become necessary to free Bangladesh from those trends and urged supporters to be prepared.
He said Jamaat would remain at the forefront of any future movement and pledged to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. “We will not allow anyone to cast a hostile eye on Bangladesh,” he said.
Reaffirming his party’s position, he said Jamaat would not compromise with injustice and would reject both “old and new fascism”.
Among those addressing the rally were National Citizen Party Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South Jamaat Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Dhaka South Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud, Dhaka North Jamaat Ameer Md Selim Uddin and Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran. The event was chaired by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and coordinator of the 11-party alliance Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad.
