Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday warned that his party will not remain in Parliament if it does not get scope to speak in the interest of the nation, while calling on supporters to prepare for what he termed a new “revolution.”
“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.
Shafiqur Rahman was speaking at a rally organised by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance in the capital's Bijoynagar area, demanding justice for alleged enforced disappearances, killings and mass killings committed during the Awami League regime.
The rally, which began around 5:30pm, coincided with the founding anniversary of Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities.
Addressing the gathering, Shafiqur Rahman alleged that more than 600 people have been killed since the BNP government assumed office, including over 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.
The Jamaat ameer accused the government of moving towards “another one-party fascist rule” through partisan appointments in universities, colleges, administrative institutions and other sectors, warning that they will launch another “revolution” if needed to ensure justice.
He demanded justice over unresolved issues, including the October 28, 2006 violence, 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, enforced disappearances, political killings and the July-August uprising.
The opposition leader also alleged that the pace of trials over the July-August killings has slowed due to “political influence and appointments.”
He demanded investigations into other killings, including that of Inqilab Moncho Spokesperson Osman Bin Hadi and a Shibir leader reportedly killed in Gaibandha on June 21.
Shafiqur Rahman claimed corruption, extortion, “partisan rule and fascism” have become “viruses” in the country and said another revolution has become inevitable to free Bangladesh from those trends, urging people to get ready for it.
He announced that Jamaat will be the in the front line of any future movement and vowed to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. “We will not allow anyone to cast a hostile eye on Bangladesh.”
The Jamaat leader reiterated that Jamaat will not make any compromise with injustice and will reject both “old and new fascism.”
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud, Dhaka North unit Ameer Md Selim Uddin, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran and other central leaders of the 11-party alliance spoke at the rally with Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Coordinator of the 11-party alliance Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad in the chair.