Speaking at a protest rally, he also said their alliance will launch a united movement to drive out those grabbed power depriving people of their rights.
“It’s a shame that people are still deprived of their power even when the country’s 50 years of independence are going to be completed. We can’t accept it that the government has usurped power by force depriving people of their rights,” the Oikyafront chief said.
Kamal, also president of Gonoforum, said, “The government is now campaigning that they’ll celebrate this year and that year in that manner. It must be celebrated unitedly. The celebration of 50 years of independence by depriving people of their ownership of the country will just be a farce.”
Jatiya Oikyafront arranged the programme at Dhaka Reports Unity (DRU) protesting the imprisonment of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on her two years of her jailing.
Kamal said they want to softly call upon the government to quit. “There’s no point of calling upon this government to resign, we must kick them out.”
The Gonoforum president said people will no longer accept the current government’s efforts to give autocracy an institutional shape. “They won’t accept the way corruption, misrule and repression are going on.”
Dr Kamal demanded the government immediately release BNP chief Khaleda Zia from jail. “It’s regrettable that we still need to seek the release of a state prisoner even after 48 years of independence.”
He urged people to get united and take to the streets to restore their ownership of the country.
“I think we shouldn’t only hold such meetings. We must take to the streets to launch a united movement inspiring people to play their due role and drive out those captured power on the eve of 50 years of independence,” Kamal added.
He said their alliance leaders must go to all cities and districts to encourage people to put up a strong resistance against the ‘usurpers’.
The Oikyafront chief reminded the ruling party that no-one in the past could give autocracy a permanent shape in the country. “Those who tried to do that faced dangerous consequences. Bangalees never accepted the autocratic rule and they won’t do it now either.”
He said their alliance wants the country’s people to return the ownership of the country in a peaceful way so that they can play their due role and elect the representatives of their choice.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President (JSD-Rob) urged the government to free Khaleda Zia if it wants to quit power in a peaceful way.
“I don’t do the politics of BNP. I don’t want Khaleda’s release for any party’s interest. Her release is necessary for democracy and strengthen the democratic practice in the country,” he observed.
Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said Khaleda Zia has been kept in jail for two years unfairly.
He said Oikyafront needs to wage a united movement to oust the current government and ‘restore’ democracy in the country. “I Think Oikyafront should now take decision about taking to the streets to get rid of autocracy, misrule and repression.”
Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said Oikyafront should not take part in further elections until Khaleda Zia is released.
He urged Dr Kamal to file a review petition with the apex court in favour of Khaleda Zia to have her freed on bail.
Zafrullah also called upon the Oikyafront convener to launch a long-march programme to mobilise public support and reorganise them.