Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of "walking the path of fugitive fascism," alleging that the party has begun replicating the same political behaviour and culture it once criticized.
He made the remarks while addressing a large rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. The gathering was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami in honour of families of those killed in the July Uprising and participants described as "July fighters."
In his speech, Rahman said that despite repeated attempts, BNP could never truly become the Awami League, but warned that it risks becoming a "weaker version" of the same political force. "The Awami League once mocked opposition forces and relied on loyal power to dominate society. Today, BNP appears to be adopting similar tactics," he said.
He alleged that the BNP has consistently opposed fundamental reforms of the state, which "amounts to cheating the nation."
Rahman further claimed that the party is even contradicting its own declared 31-point agenda and election manifesto, raising concerns about its political stance.
Referring to recent electoral developments, he said that while BNP accepted results that favoured them, they rejected outcomes where, according to him, "70 percent of the people voted in favour of reforms." "Ignoring such a mandate is a matter of shame.
When this verdict of the people is implemented, fascism will truly be uprooted from the country," he added.
Rahman also credited the July Uprising for enabling BNP's current political stance. "Without the sacrifices of the people, BNP would not have had the opportunity to enjoy power today," he said, accusing the party of failing to stand up by victims' families during critical moments. He also criticised BNP for allegedly rushing to demand elections immediately after the July Uprising.
He called BNP a "beneficiary of the July Uprising" and said that many leaders who were abroad were able to return to the country because of this movement. "Now some individuals are claiming to be masterminds of the movement, which is misleading.
The movement was for everyone, but the heroes of July brought it to the shores of success," he noted.
Addressing recent incidents of violence, Rahman alleged that attacks on student representatives, including at University of Dhaka and incidents inside police stations, reflect a dangerous political trend. "When a party denies a referendum result, it signals a shift toward fascism," he claimed.
He also referenced a reported attack on a Jamaat-affiliated lawmaker in Netrokona, questioning whether such incidents reflect the aspirations of the people. "Is this the Bangladesh people fought for? We reject this culture of violence and demand a reformed state," he said.
Calling for an end to what he described as political intimidation in educational institutions, Rahman warned that failure to address such issues could trigger renewed agitation. "July was not limited to 2024. July represents a spirit that can return if necessary," he said.
He urged the government to respect the outcome of the referendum and implement it fully. "If the mandate of 70 percent people is ignored, the opposition's struggle will continue both inside parliament and on the streets," he added.
Also speaking at the rally, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said that millions of voters had supported the referendum, effectively rejecting BNP's position. He warned that failure to implement the verdict could intensify political movement.
Leaders from other political parties also joined the rally. Tasmiya Principal of the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) accused the government of disrespecting the memory of killed individuals, while representatives of various parties echoed calls for implementing the July charter.
Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said the government had become unpopular within a short time and warned of uncertain political consequences in the coming months. He emphasized that their movement aims to ensure respect for the July uprising and its declared goals.
Nahid further accused BNP of attempting to politicize state institutions and following a trajectory similar to past authoritarian practices. "If BNP continues on this path, the people, especially the youth, will once again take to the streets," he warned.
The rally concluded with renewed calls from opposition leaders for unity and sustained movement to ensure implementation of the referendum outcome and broader political reform.
The event was addressed among others by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, Jamaat's Senior Nayeb-e-Amir ATM Azharul Islam, Assistant Secretaries General Rafiqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad, Khelafat Majlis' Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Sakhawat Hossain, AB Party General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman (Iran), Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party's Nayeb-e-Ameer Mukhlesur Rahman Qasemi, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Anwarul Islam, Jamaat's Dhaka South Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul, Dhaka Metropolitan North Ameer Selim Uddin, Jamaat's Central Working Committee Member Jasim Uddin Sarkar, Workers Welfare Federation President Atiqur Rahman, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir President Nurul Islam Saddam, JnUCSU VP Riazul Islam, JnUCSU GS Mazharul Islam, etc.
