11-party alliance’s long march for people’s rights: Shafiq

Eight-point demands could turn into one-point, he warns

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said the 11-party alliance’s demands would be achieved if mothers and sisters continued taking to the streets.

“When mothers and sisters have taken to the streets, the demands will be achieved, InshaAllah,” he said at a roadside rally at Chowmatha intersection in Palashbari, Gaibandha, around 6:45pm.

He was speaking at the rally, organised as part of the alliance’s Dhaka-Rangpur Long March and presided over by lawmaker Maulana Nazrul Islam Lebu.

Shafiqur said the long march was not aimed at serving the interests of any individual, political party or group, but at pressing what he described as the demands of 180 million people.

“If the July Charter had been implemented, the people’s verdict in the referendum honoured, corruption and extortion stopped, and farmers provided with fertiliser, we would not have needed to organise the long march,” he said.

Referring to the alliance’s eight-point demands, he said none was aimed at benefiting his party.

“If the government does not accept our demands, the eight points may turn into nine, 10 or even one point,” he said, urging people to join the long march in Dhaka.

He said thousands of women and children had stood along the roads to greet the convoy as it travelled from Dhaka to Rangpur.

LDP Chairman and former minister Col (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram said people could live peacefully if the country was governed properly. 

He called for an end to extortion and corruption, urged the creation of employment opportunities and demanded the formation of a reform council and constitutional amendments.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Allama Mamunul Haque alleged that the BNP had betrayed the people after coming to power. He claimed that voters had responded to the 11-party alliance’s call by casting a large number of “yes” votes in the referendum.

Haque also alleged that the BNP government had introduced a law on property transfers that he said was contrary to the Quran and Sunnah. He called for unity to ensure justice in the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.

The long-march convoy left Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka around 8am and held roadside rallies at Bhogra Bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalfoi Bypass in Tangail, Hatikumrul intersection in Sirajganj, Matidali Airport intersection in Bogura and Palashbari in Gaibandha.

Organisers said supporters of the 11 parties, along with businesspeople, transport workers, pedestrians and people from different sections of society, including women, gathered along the route to greet the convoy.

The convoy later proceeded to Rangpur for the concluding rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground.
“When it turns into a one-point demand, the situation will be very serious,” he saidwhile speaking at the inaugural rally.