Miyan Golam Porwar, general secretary of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, warned that those seeking to take power could face a “fascist-like fate” if the July National Charter is not implemented and a new state structure is not established in accordance with it.
Addressing a protest rally at the northern gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan on Monday afternoon, Golam Porwar further said that if the consensus reached under the July Charter was ignored on the strength of parliamentary majority, “another July” would emerge.
The demonstration was organized by an 11-party alliance to protest post-poll violence by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Allegations on referendum campaign
Porwar alleged that the BNP had internally campaigned in favor of a “No” vote in the referendum and claimed that in several polling stations, the number of votes for the BNP’s election symbol paddy straw and a “No” vote were almost equal.
He also criticized post-election discussions on television talk shows, stating that the government would not be bound by the unanimity provisions of the July Charter.
He said, “If the July Charter is not implemented by force of majority power, another July will be created. Those who are about to take power, if they reject the July Charter, they may have to face the consequences of fascism.”
Demand for transparency and justice
Porwar alleged that the broadcast of the election results was stopped suddenly, creating a “web of mystery” and hampering the declaration of victory by the 11-party alliance. He demanded full disclosure of the matter.
He also urged the Election Commission to immediately and impartially resolve the complaints of irregularities lodged by the alliance in several constituencies without any delay or procrastination.
The Jamaat general secretary alleged, “Even after winning by manipulation, they have launched attacks on the country and have indulged in murders, terrorism, arson and attacks on houses. Mothers and sisters are being raped. These scenes remind us of fascism. They should exercise restraint.”
They demanded justice from the new government for those killed during the July mass uprising and the killing of Inquilab Moncho coordinator Sharif Osman bin Hadi.
‘Voting rights made a cruel mockery’
Speaking as the chief guest, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haq alleged that the February 12 election had “cruelly mocked” the people’s right to vote.
He said citizens had hoped they would regain their voting rights in Bangladesh after July, but instead they were subjected to “subtle engineering” from the evening following a day-long “public drama” of peaceful voting, aimed at preventing targeted individuals from entering Parliament.
He further alleged that the state administration was used to implement a “deep state agenda”.
Addressing the Chief Election Commissioner he said, “CEC, we want to say to you, learn from the fate of your predecessor. If, through proper investigation, you do not restore the voting rights of the people in response to our objections, the people of Bengal will seize their rights by force, Inshallah.”
Mamunul Haq also warned that if any political force tried to rehabilitate “old fascists” in Bangladesh politics, they too would be “driven to Delhi”.
He said any attempt to deviate from the aspirations of the July Revolution would bring its workers back to the streets.
‘Vote theft is not vote robbery’
National Citizen Party (NCP) chief coordinator Naseeruddin Patwari claimed that the election involved not just vote theft but “vote dacoity”.
Protesting alleged irregularities, he also called for an end to post-election violence, and said all incidents of attack would be accounted for.
He expressed confidence that his party will enter Parliament with new strength.
The rally moderated by Jamaat’s assistant general secretary Hamidur Rahman Azad was also addressed by leaders of several alliance partners, including AB Party president Mojibur Rahman, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidium member Omar Farooq, Bangladesh Labor Party president Mustafizur Rahman (Iran), Khilafat Majlis joint general secretary Abdul Jalil, JAGPA spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, BDP general secretary Nizam ul Haq Naeem and Newly elected MP of Dhaka-12 Saiful Alam Khan Milan was included. Other.
After the rally, a protest procession passed from the northern gate of Baitul Mukarram via Purana Paltan, National Press Club area and Matsya Bhawan and ended at Shahbag, where the protesters raised various slogans.