Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, delivered a stern warning to the government on Saturday, indicating that it risks losing its legitimacy if it fails to honor the recent referendum verdict. Rahman claims that nearly 70 percent of voters supported the proposals presented in the referendum and cautioned that a strong public movement would ensue if the government chooses to disregard the outcome.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr. Shafiqur addressed an 11-party divisional rally at Hemayet Uddin Central Eidgah Maidan in Barishal, urging the government to avoid embarking on a “path of deception.” He emphasized that honoring the people’s verdict through the referendum is crucial and equated the rejection of the referendum to rejecting democracy itself. He urged the government to respect the people’s mandate and warned against political trickery.
The rally was convened to advocate for the implementation of the referendum verdict, address public suffering, control rising commodity prices, and improve the country’s transport system. Dr. Shafiqur highlighted the significance of respecting the mandate of the people and recalled the sacrifices made by many between 2009 and 2024 in the fight against what he termed as “fascism.”
Criticizing the BNP for maintaining ordinances from the previous regime, Dr. Shafiqur labeled the parliamentary Constitution Amendment Committee as “illegal” and accused the government of changing its identity repeatedly. He warned the government against continuous deception and emphasized the importance of honoring the legacy of political movements, such as the 2024 mass uprising and the 1971 Liberation War.
On the economic front, Dr. Shafiqur criticized the government for its handling of inflation and rising living costs. He highlighted the disparity between the assistance provided to families and the actual economic burden they face. Dr. Shafiqur also issued a warning that failure to implement the referendum verdict would lead to a massive rally in Dhaka.
Dr. Shafiqur further addressed regional development issues, citing the isolation of Bhola due to the absence of a bridge and the lack of railway connectivity in Barishal. He emphasized the need for balanced national development and pledged that Jamaat would continue to speak out against discrimination.
The rally was chaired by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Barishal regional director Advocate Muazzam Hossain Helal. Other notable speakers included Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Dr. Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram, and several leaders from participating political parties at various levels.