Government wants to impose autocratic rule on people: Shafiqur Rahman

Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the government of seeking to impose autocratic rule on the people by ignoring their verdict. He said the 11-party alliance would continue its movement alongside the people to secure its seven demands, including implementation of the referendum verdict.

He made the remarks at a roadside rally in the Naodoba area of Shariatpur’s Jajira upazila on Saturday (31 October) morning. The rally was part of the 11-party alliance’s long march towards Dhaka–Khulna–Kushtia.

Shafiqur Rahman alleged that the government was refusing to accept the people’s views despite their expression through the vote. He said the government was insulting the people and resorting to deception and lies instead of honouring its promises. Such actions would not be tolerated, he said.

Noting that implementation of the referendum verdict was the first of the seven demands, the Jamaat ameer said the demands would be secured with the people’s support. He urged everyone to remain united and steadfast.

Highlighting people’s sacrifices during the movement, Shafiqur Rahman said a nation that had faced bullets empty-handed would not bow to injustice.

Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad and alliance leaders at various levels also addressed the rally.

The 11-party alliance’s seven demands are implementation of the referendum verdict, justice for the July mass killings, resolution of the electricity, oil, gas and fertiliser crises, control of rising prices of daily essentials, improvement in law and order, an end to narrow partisan practices, and an end to corruption, extortion and illegal occupation. The alliance is holding the long march to press these demands.