Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Thursday accused the government of moving toward a “condemned path of fascism” and warned it against going against public sentiment.
He made the remarks while inaugurating a leaflet distribution programme at Shahbagh, organised by an 11-party alliance, led by Jamaat, demanding implementation of the referendum result and resolution of the energy crisis.
Parwar urged the government not to take positions against the people under the pretext of majority rule. “You are walking the same path of fascism that others once followed,” he said, adding that the government’s actions suggested a lack of foresight. “Return from this course while there is still time. Do not stand against the nation or go against public aspirations. Otherwise, you will have to learn from history.”
The Jamaat leader said a large number of people had supported the reform proposals outlined in the July Charter through the referendum. However, he alleged that delays in implementing the referendum result by the ruling party had created a political crisis.
“The responsibility for this crisis lies with the government, and it must resolve it,” he said.
Addressing the prime minister, Parwar said there was no scope to deny the referendum outcome after participating in the process. He called for immediate implementation of necessary reforms through discussions in a constitutional reform council, in line with the public mandate.
He also alleged irregularities, vote rigging, and violence in recent by-elections, claiming that such incidents proved fair elections were not possible under a biased government.
Calling on citizens to join the movement, he urged people across the country to take to the streets in support of implementing the referendum verdict.
At the event, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad announced a week-long nationwide outreach programme from 9 to 15 April aimed at building public opinion through leaflet distribution.
As part of the programme, protest rallies will be held in all metropolitan cities outside Dhaka on11 April and in every district on 12 April.
A national seminar is scheduled in Dhaka on 13 April, where noted scholars, political leaders, student representatives, and participants of the July movement will address the nation. Programmes will also be organised to engage with families of those killed and participants of the movement.
Azad said the Shahbagh gathering marked the first day of the campaign and recalled the significance of the July movement.
“We do not seek unrest on the streets; rather, we want solutions within parliament,” he said, while accusing the government of moving toward one-party rule. He expressed confidence that the people, who had resisted authoritarianism during the July uprising, would continue to stand against injustice.
