Jamaat says will resist ‘govt betrayal’ over referendum verdict implementation

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday vowed to continue demonstrations to press for the full implementation of the July Charter, and February referendum verdict, warning the government against “betraying the nation”.

People are ready to march to Dhaka, if they are asked to do so to press for the demands, Shafiqur said at a roadside rally in Shibbari intersection, Khulna city, organised as part of the opposition alliance’s Dhaka-Khulna-Kushtia long march.

The march would be the third iteration of the Opposition’s countrywide long march programme launched in phases on 5 September to press for seven demands, including the full implementation of the state reform measures included in the July Charter.

Previously, the alliance held Dhaka-Chattogram long march on 5 September, and Dhaka-Rangpur long march on 19 September.

Addressing the rally in Khulna city, Shafiqur emphasised that their demands represent the aspirations of all citizens, including trial for the July Uprising massacre and killings over a period of 15-and-a-half years, curbing money laundering, stopping extortion, halting partisan appointments to key state roles, and securing fertiliser for farmers.

Criticising the government, Shafiqur questioned why the referendum verdict is being sidelined by the parliamentary majority the ruling party commands. He also raised concerns over rising utility bills and corruption.

According to UNB, Khulna City Jamaat Ameer Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman presided over the event, moderated by Khulna-2 MP Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hossain Helal.