Demanding the implementation of the referendum's public verdict, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has stated that those who came to power through public affection and are now defying the decision of the referendum will not have their stance accepted by the people. He warned that the movement will grow progressively stronger until the demands are met.
He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a pathasabha (street meeting) as the chief guest during the 11-party alliance's long march held at the historic Shibbari intersection in Khulna in support of a seven-point demand.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, "Those who said before the election that if a 'Yes' vote wins in the referendum we would implement it, are now saying in parliament after engineering a majority that we do not accept the referendum. Seventy percent of voters voted 'Yes' in favor of the referendum. Standing in parliament, they said we have accepted all that, just so the election/voting isn't delayed in any way—meaning their sitting on the throne shouldn't be delayed. Now that they have got the throne, they have nothing more to say to us. Now we will sit and run the country like Hasina. Have they done anything good in the meantime? They have distributed a few cards."
Regarding family cards and farmer cards, he said, "Did these cards get stolen and go to London? Or did they go to Sri Lanka? Not a single person among so many raised their hands. And now our eardrums are about to burst listening to the echoes of praise for those cards. You give one thousand, one and a half thousand, two thousand, two and a half thousand takas through cards. And just from gas bills and electricity bills, you take five thousand takas per month from us. You cannot supply gas, but the bills must be paid. There is no trace of electricity, but phantom bills arrive. This is plundering the nation's wealth. We have taken to the streets with all these demands."
He continued, "Farmers do not get fertilizer; how will they? They are appointing new dealers by taking bribes of 20-25, 30 lakh, or 1 crore takas. There is a hullabaloo about this, and mutual infighting is going on. Lives are passing by, but the farmer does not get fertilizer. We have taken to the streets with this demand. We have taken to the streets for the demand of justice for our beloved Hadee and all those who were murdered over the last 15 years, especially in July."
Highlighting the reasons for taking to the streets, he said, "We have taken to the streets to liberate a nation tormented by the extortionists of the ruling party from the agony of extortion. We have taken to the streets to stop the looting where public money is plundered and smuggled abroad. The public verdict of the referendum must be implemented. A clear message: it will be implemented, Inshallah. Until it is implemented, movement programs will move one after another from strong to ultra-strong."
Read next If Hasina Thinks of Returning in December, the Last Trace of Awami League Will Be Erased: Sarjis Alam in PanchagarhHe stated, "This time we came on a long march from Dhaka to Khulna. If the need for a single-point movement arises, when the call is made to go from Dhaka to Khulna—are you prepared for every single household in rural Bengal to go and show up in Dhaka? These demands are not of our party or alliance; every single demand is the demand of the people of this country, a matter of life and death. We are with the masses."
The Jamaat Ameer said, "Inshallah, the oppressors will be finished, and the people will win. This struggle of ours is for that victory. These demands will be met. We will return home only after fulfilling these demands, Inshallah. We do not want the victory of 11 parties; we want the victory and liberation of every single citizen of this country. We have taken to the streets for the victory and liberation of the citizens, and we have the love and support of the people. Today's gathering is proof of that. We have witnessed proof of it on the streets all along the way. I give you my word, life may go, but we will not betray the nation, Inshallah. May Allah accept us as martyrs while struggling for the nation. There is no compromise in between. We do not know how to compromise, and we know how to fear no one except Allah."
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman added, "Until an exploitation-free, discrimination-free, egalitarian Bangladesh and a humane Bangladesh are built, our movement will continue, Inshallah."
Presided over by Khulna 11-Party Alliance Long March Implementation Committee Convener and Khulna City Jamaat Ameer Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, and conducted by Secretary Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hossain Helal MP, the event featured special addresses by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque.
Additionally, central and local leaders and MPs of the 11-party alliance, including NCP, AB Party, JSD, Labour Party, and Chhatra Shibir, delivered speeches at the rally.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Khulna Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
