Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (23 June) said his party will remain in parliament only as long as it can speak in the national interest, warning that it may walk out if that space is denied, while also calling on supporters to prepare for what he described as a new “revolution.”
“As long as there is an environment to speak in parliament and as long as it serves the nation’s interest, we will stay. The day we feel speaking there has no benefit, we will leave,” he said.
He was addressing a rally of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area, held to demand justice over alleged enforced disappearances, killings and mass killings during the Awami League regime.
Shafiqur Rahman alleged that over 600 people have been killed since the BNP government assumed office, including more than 200 BNP activists. “If a party has no responsibility towards its own activists, how will it take responsibility for 20 crore people? It is shameful,” he said.
He accused the government of heading toward “one-party fascist rule” through partisan appointments across universities, colleges and administrative institutions, warning that a new “revolution” would be launched if necessary to ensure justice.
The Jamaat chief demanded trials over a series of past incidents, including the 28 October 2006 violence, the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, enforced disappearances, political killings, and the July uprising. He also alleged that progress in the July uprising cases has slowed due to political interference and appointments.
He further called for investigations into other killings, including that of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Bin Hadi and a Shibir leader killed in Gaibandha on June 21.
Shafiqur Rahman said corruption, extortion and “fascism” had become entrenched in the system, insisting another revolution was necessary to restore justice. He said Jamaat would remain at the forefront of any future movement and would not compromise on issues of injustice or allow threats to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Leaders of the 11-party alliance, including NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, and others, also spoke at the rally, chaired by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad.
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