Movement for reforms has already begun: Jamaat ameer

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqul Rahman on Monday said a nationwide movement demanding reforms in line with the July Charter has already begun and will continue until its goals are achieved.

“The ongoing political crisis has deepened due to the ruling quarter’s disregard for the spirit of July. Our movement for the implementation of the July Charter has started and will be carried forward to a successful conclusion,” he said while addressing a seminar in Dhaka.

Calling for public support, he said the movement would advance “inch by inch” until its objectives are realised. “We will return home only after achieving our goals on the streets,” he added.

He was speaking at a seminar titled “Government against Referendum Verdict: A Country Facing Crisis,” organised by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) in Kakrail.

Allied politicians including NCP chief Nahid Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Maulana Mamunul Haque, and LDP chief Colonel (retd) Ali Ahmed also spoke at the event.

Shafiqur claimed that the current political leadership – including the prime minister, opposition, cabinet and lawmakers – are all outcomes of the July uprising. “There is July, so we exist; there is July, so the government exists; there is July, so the opposition exists. Without July, there is nothing,” he said.

The Jamaat leader warned that the government would not go unchallenged and said the opposition must uphold public aspirations in line with the July National Charter.

He also accused the Speaker of curbing opposition voices in parliament. “Attempts have been made to silence opposition members, but they have failed,” he said.

“We are not in parliament to enjoy benefits. We will forgo what we can and accept only what is necessary. We will not engage in anything illegal,” he added.

Shafiqur said the opposition would remain in parliament as long as required to fight for people’s rights and would resist any form of dominance. “We do not want to make our children slaves to anyone, nor do we accept family-based political rule. This cycle must be broken,” he said.