The 11-party alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has announced a series of protests demanding implementation of referendum result and July Charter, warning the government of intensified action including potential hartals and blockades if their demands remain unmet.
The coalition, which has already completed rallies in divisional cities following mass marches, seminars and leaflet distribution campaigns, is now preparing for a major rally in Dhaka.
Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a national assembly at Suhrawardy Udyan on April 25, while simultaneous rallies are scheduled in all metropolitan cities on the same day, followed by district-level marches on May 2.
Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, told that the February 12 national election included a referendum on implementing the July Charter, where 70 percent of people voted in favor of reforms.
However, he alleged that BNP members refused to take the second oath required to form the Constitutional Reform Council, stalling the entire process.
Azad accused BNP of betraying the July Charter after coming to power, creating political and constitutional crisis. He stated that their package movement will continue in phases until demands are met, warning of stronger programs including mass rallies if the government fails to implement the referendum results.
The alliance initially conducted weeklong programs from April 9-15 including leaflet distribution, protests in divisional and district cities, and a national seminar in Dhaka. A meeting of top alliance leaders on April 16 finalized the new movement blueprint.
Mostafizur Rahman Iran, chairman of Bangladesh Labour Party, told that despite BNP signing consensus commission agreements, they are now disregarding everything, which is extremely unfortunate.
He said considering the country's fragile situation, they are implementing phased programs instead of immediate hartals and blockades.
However, he warned that if BNP does not want change and behaves like the previous government, they will not be able to remain peaceful amid public anger.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar warned at an April 16 press conference that attempts to suppress the movement will not yield positive results.
According to alliance sources, the preliminary outline for post-May 2 programs has been prepared and may be finalized at an April 30 meeting.
Maulana Abdul Halim, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, told that people are now angry and BNP will pay a heavy price if they do not make the right decision in time.
He said while they are currently conducting constitutional movement, the 11-party alliance will soon shift from soft to hard programs if demands are not met.
The April 25 Dhaka rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, starting at 10 AM, will be attended by opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman as chief guest. Over 800 families of July revolution martyrs, injured members and thousands of July fighters are expected to participate.
Top leaders of the 11-party alliance have been invited as guests to give the assembly an all-party character.
Parwar said the movement addresses multiple public concerns including implementing the referendum verdict, resolving the fuel crisis and controlling soaring commodity prices.
He emphasized that citizens expressed their expectations through the referendum's Yes vote, and implementing it is the government's primary responsibility. This movement is not for any particular group but aims to restore democratic rights and build a justice-based society.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis held a mass rally on Friday at Suhrawardy Udyan demanding implementation of the referendum result.
Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque said the July Charter, prepared with consensus of all political parties after the July revolution, should guide the country's future.
He expressed frustration that instead of implementing the people's verdict, a kind of mockery has begun, which is why they called this rally.
