FENI: Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that the people of Bangladesh are not doing well, with shortages of gas and electricity continuing while there has been no visible progress in the trial of the July mass killings even after six months.“The people of the country are not well. There is no gas, no electricity. Six months have passed, yet there has been no progress in even one case related to the mass killings,” he said.
He alleged that the government had betrayed the people from the very beginning.
“Bangladesh is our only address. We have been subjected to a reign of oppression. We did not leave for anyone else’s home or seek refuge elsewhere,” he said.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman further alleged that “we are hearing the footsteps of fascism again” and claimed that people were once again being intimidated.
“We are not afraid of these threats. Stay prepared. When the final call comes, we will have to take to the streets again,” he said.
He made the remarks while addressing a rally in Mahipal, Feni, on Saturday afternoon, September 5, during a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram.
The rally was chaired by Mufti Abdul Hannan, Ameer of Feni district Jamaat-e-Islami. Central leaders of 11 political parties, including NCP Convener Nahid Islam, AB Party leader Mujibur Rahman Manju and LDP leader Col Oli Ahmed, also addressed the gathering.
NCP President Nahid Islam alleged that the BNP had established “parliamentary authoritarianism” in the parliament. He accused the ruling party of creating an energy crisis in the country through corruption and syndicates.
“If the verdict of the referendum is not implemented and the ongoing crises involving the country's oil and gas are not resolved, you will not be able to remain in power,” he said.
LDP leader Col Oli Ahmed said that although Sheikh Hasina had left, the current government was running the country in a manner similar to her style of governance.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque said the referendum and the parliamentary election could not be treated differently.
“We want to make it clear that if the referendum is declared illegal, the other election cannot be considered valid either. The votes cast for the sheaf of paddy symbol in the parliamentary election would also be invalid,” he said.
He accused the authorities of attempting to evade the people's verdict and warned that the BNP would face a “final red card” if the referendum verdict was not implemented.
The long march from Dhaka to Chattogram is being held with a series of demands, including implementation of the aspirations of the July mass uprising and the popular mandate expressed through the referendum, justice for the July mass killings, and fulfillment of the people's legitimate demands.
The organizers are also demanding an end to shortages of electricity, oil, gas and fertiliser; measures to control rising prices of essential commodities; an end to extortion and corruption; improvement of the law-and-order situation; and an end to narrow partisan practices in state affairs.