11-party alliance warns of tougher movement as long march heads to Rangpur

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the government could not ignore the demands raised by the people.

“We did not sacrifice our lives for a new authoritarian regime,” he said, alleging that the government had failed to honour the verdict of the referendum in which, according to him, 70 percent of voters supported the ‘Yes’ vote.

He questioned why the government was yet to implement the July Charter despite pledging to do so before the election.

“Why are they not implementing the July Charter? Why are they not implementing the people’s verdict in the referendum?” Dr Shafiqur said, alleging that the BNP had betrayed the people.

He said their movement against what he described as all forms of misrule would continue until their demands were met.

“When the people have taken to the streets, the demands will be achieved, InshaAllah,” he said, urging supporters to prepare for another long march towards Dhaka.

The alliance has been demanding implementation of the referendum verdict and July Charter, trial of those responsible for the July massacre, resolution of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser shortages, control of rising prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and land grabbing, improvement of law and order, an end to partisanisation and implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.

Speaking at the rally, Opposition Chief Whip and NCP Convener Nahid Islam MP alleged that “a new authoritarianism” had emerged in the country.

“There is a difficult struggle ahead. Over the past seven months, partisanisation has taken place at every step,” he said.

Nahid alleged that the promise of building a Bangladesh free from discrimination, corruption, fascism and extortion had not been fulfilled.

“Employment opportunities are being created only for Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. We will not allow Bangladesh to become such a country,” he said.

LDP Chairman and former minister Col (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram said the alliance was not participating in the movement for personal gain.

“We want the government to fulfil the promises it made to the people. The country cannot be run in this manner, as the Awami League did,” he said.

Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Allama Mamunul Haque said the large turnout at the long march showed that people had taken to the streets to establish their rights.

“If the government fails to understand the language of the people, we will speak in a language that the government understands,” he said, calling on people to remain prepared for further programmes.


The Tangail rally began around 10am under the chairmanship of Tangail district Jamaat Ameer Ahsan Habib Masud. Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar and other senior and local leaders of the 11-party alliance also addressed the gathering.