Khelafat Majlis held a mass rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Friday, demanding the immediate implementation of the July Charter and the verdict of referendum.
Addressing the gathering, speakers vowed to transform their programme into a mass movement to compel the government to honour public mandate. The rally, which commenced after Jummah prayers, was attended by top leaders of the 11-party alliance.
Presiding over the event, Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque described the necessity of holding a rally to demand the implementation of the July Charter as a “disgraceful chapter” for the BNP.
He asserted that those who uphold the spirit of Bangladesh cannot oppose the July Revolution.
Warning that the government would not remain in power if it ignored Bangladeshi nationalism, Mamunul stated, “If the BNP denies the mandate for constitutional reform given by the people through the ‘Yes’ vote, we will show them the red card.”
He further remarked that if the BNP betrays the referendum, it will be known as a “world traitor,” adding that the party lacks the diplomatic capacity to release oil tankers from the Strait of Hormuz.
“If you cannot do it, then admit your failure and hand over responsibility to us,” Mamunul challenged.
Addressing the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman alleged that those who were oppressed during the Hasina regime have forgotten the past upon entering power.
“They are deceiving the country, which is why we have had to take to the streets,” he said.
Shafiqur warned that the movement would continue until the verdict is implemented, noting, “The day the parliament and the streets become one, you will not be able to stop the ocean tide with a sand dam.”
Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam echoed these sentiments, stating that the swift implementation of July Charter is in the best interest of both the BNP and Bangladesh.
Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, coordinator of 11-party alliance, pointed out that in the referendum held alongside the national elections on 12 February, approximately 70 per cent of the population voted in favour of reforms.
However, he noted that the process of forming the Constitution Reform Council has yet to begin.
He attributed the stagnation of the reform process to elected Members of Parliament refusing to take “dual oaths,” claiming the BNP has violated its promises, thereby creating a political and constitutional crisis.
Abdullah Al Jabir, member-secretary of Inqilab Mancha, criticised the current parliamentary sessions, alleging that Tk16.3 million of public money is being wasted every hour on “useless talk”.
He warned that those seeking power by denying the significance of July must be prepared to witness another “36 July.”
Mufti Abdus Sobhan Khan, central executive member of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, addressed the leadership directly, saying, “Tarique government, you have heard the lion’s roar but you have not seen the lion.”
Joint Secretary General Maulana Ataullah Amin accused the party leadership of betrayal, alleging that while they asked for “Yes” votes, their activists campaigned for “No” votes.
Mostafizur Rahman Iran, chairman of the Bangladesh Labour Party, stated that the alliance is currently announcing phased programmes rather than immediate strikes or blockades. He warned, however, that the government would face public wrath if it did not move towards change.
The speakers emphasised that their primary objective is to create political pressure on the government through both parliamentary activity and street protests.
They warned that the intensity of their programmes would increase until their demands are met, with internal discussions already underway regarding stricter measures such as strikes and blockades.
Earlier, as part of their pre-announced schedule, the alliance conducted leaflet distribution from 9 to 15 April, followed by protests in district and divisional cities and a national seminar in Dhaka.
The blueprint for the current movement was finalised during a meeting of the top alliance leaders on 16 April. Leaders reiterated that their “package movement” will persist until the referendum verdict is fully implemented.
