Amir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB), Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim (Pir Shahib Chormonai) on Tuesday said that the student-mass people took to the streets against injustice, killings, and inequality, and will not leave the streets until these are achieved.
"We will not accept any move to hold elections before reforms. If any evil quarter forces the chief adviser to announce an election before reforms, we clearly say — we are still on the streets", he said.
The Amir of the IAB was speaking as the chief guest at a rally organised by it at the north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, demanding legal recognition of the July Declaration, restoration of law and order, and the introduction of the Proportional Representation (PR) system in national elections.
Pir Saheb Chormonai said elections cannot be held under the old system until law and order is restored, the desired reforms are implemented, and ongoing trials becomes visible.
Islami Andolan warns EC of facing predecessors’ fate if fair polls not ensured
He said the main goal of reform is to change the electoral system that has been in place for the past 54 years. “The PR system, like in many countries around the world, is the only way to stop black money, muscle power, and terrorism. Various surveys show that a majority of people now want PR. It has become a nationwide demand.”
He further emphasised that reforms have to be visible before elections and that the July Declaration have to be given legal status beforehand. “Relying on a post-election promise to implement the Declaration is a false hope,” he added.
The rally was presided over by IAB’s Dhaka North president and joint secretary general Principal Hafez Mawlana Sheikh Fazle Bari Masud.
IAB secretary general Principal Hafez Mawlana Yunus Ahmad, presidium members Professor Mahbubur Rahman and Professor Ashraf Ali Akon, joint secretary general and party spokesperson Mawlana Gazi Ataur Rahman, assistant secretary general Mawlana Ahmad Abdul Qayyum, and assistant publicity and dawah secretary KM Shariyatullah also addressed the event.
Leaders from both Dhaka North and South city units of the party were present.