Special Correspondent: Opposition Leader in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the ruling BNP of breaking its promise on holding a referendum, saying the party changed its stance overnight after securing a two-thirds majority in parliament. He warned that ignoring people`s mendate marks the beginning of fascism.
Dr Shafiqur made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a leadership gathering organized by Jamaat-e-Islami`s Dhaka district unit at Nafis Convention Center in South Keraniganj on Friday afternoon, April 3.
He said that although BNP itself had proposed a referendum, it reversed its position after winning a commanding majority, thereby failing to fulfill its responsibility and violating its commitment to the people.
"The constitution declares the people as the supreme source of power, yet in practice their opinions are being ignored. Despite strong public support for a referendum, it is being disregarded," he said.
Drawing a sharp analogy, Dr Shafiqur Rahman described fascism as a disease. "A particular patient may have died, but that does not mean fascism itself has died. It spreads from one person to another, and we are already witnessing that transmission. Casually ignoring and denying the verdict of the people is the very beginning of fascism," he said, adding firmly, "We do not want fascism in this country anymore."
He reminded the audience that both the current ruling party and his own party had suffered as victims of oppression in the past, along with the entire nation. "Those in the ruling party yesterday were also greatly oppressed, and so were we. The whole nation was oppressed. Let us once again unite against injustice," he urged.
On the ongoing fuel crisis, the opposition leader alleged that the government is concealing the real situation. Referring to long queues at petrol pumps, he claimed an artificial shortage has been created and fuel is being sold at inflated prices. He called on the government to sit down for open discussions with all political parties to address the situation.
Dr Shafiqur also criticized the appointment of administrators in local government bodies, saying it undermines the rights of elected representatives chosen by the people. He termed the practice of placing election-defeated individuals in key positions as unethical.
Commenting on the introduction of home-based online classes for students, he expressed concern that children are already addicted to digital devices. "Handing them devices again in the name of home classes will only deepen this addiction. Home classes will lead to the premature death of talent and merit," he warned.
Announcing that the 11-party alliance`s grassroots campaign will begin on Saturday, April 4, Dr Shafiqur declared that the alliance`s struggle will continue until the legitimate rights of the people are restored. "However, this movement will be constitutional and steely in its resolve," he added.
The event was presided over by Dhaka district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Mohammad Delowar Hossain and moderated by Dhaka district secretary Maulana Md Afzal Hossain. Among the special guests were Jamaat central executive council member and Dhaka-12 lawmaker Saiful Alam Khan Milon, central working council members Maulana Abdul Mannan, Advocate Mosiul Alam, Abdus Samad, and Narayanganj city Ameer Maulana Abdul Jabbar.
Senior Dhaka district Jamaat leaders including deputy Ameers Maulana Md Abdur Rauf and Principal Shahinur Islam were also present.