Current govt walking the same path as previous ‘fascist’ regime: Jamaat Ameer

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman has accused the current government of following the same path as the previous “fascist” regime and warned that the opposition movement will intensify if the government continues to ignore people’s demands.

“The previous fascist government followed this path, and this government is following the same path,” he said while addressing the concluding rally of the 11-party alliance’s Dhaka-Chattogram long march at the historic Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram today (5 September).

He alleged that the country was facing shortages of gas and electricity and disruptions in fuel supplies, while people were often being charged for services they were not receiving.

He also blamed the government for what he described as growing violence, extortion, corruption and social instability.

The Jamaat chief said the alliance’s six-point demands were not the agenda of any particular political party but reflected the demands of the country’s people.

He said the government and political parties had pledged before the 12 February election to implement the “yes” vote in the referendum, but six months after the election, that commitment had yet to be fulfilled.

Shafiqur alleged that the government was ignoring the views of nearly 70% of voters who backed the referendum, describing this as an insult to and betrayal of the people’s mandate.

Referring to the Chattogram City Corporation mayor, Shafiqur questioned whether an elected representative remaining in office after the end of their term could be considered good governance or “fascism”.

He said officeholders must be determined by the people’s mandate and that those chosen by voters must be allowed to serve, while decisions made by voters must also be respected.

He said the alliance’s movement was not aimed at removing anyone from power but at securing people’s demands.

“If the government creates a situation where it has to step aside, however, the opposition will not sit idle,” he said.

“We will not even look towards any bait,” he added.

Referring to public participation along the route of the long march, which began from Dhaka at 7am, Shafiqur said the turnout should be treated as a warning to the government.

“Today’s long march is ending like this. Future long marches will not end like this,” he said.

He concluded by vowing to continue the movement.

“We will not stop. This struggle will continue, and Inshallah, Bangladesh will change,” he said.