Jamaat-e-Islami leader and opposition figure Shafiqur Rahman has criticized the BNP for opposing crucial state reforms that they had previously supported, labeling it as misleading to the public. The accusations were made during a gathering at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, where families affected by the July Uprising were present.
Rahman accused the BNP of deceiving the nation by obstructing essential reforms vital for establishing good governance and ensuring genuine independence for the people. He expressed concern that the party had lost sight of its own inconsistencies and was following a path akin to that of a “fugitive fascist.”
Furthermore, Rahman denounced recent attacks on Ducsu representatives within a police station and on Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Masum Mustafa in Netrokona, raising serious questions about the prevailing law and order situation. He emphasized that educational institutions should promote learning tools like notebooks and pens, not weapons like machetes or axes, cautioning that prolonged unrest could reignite a situation similar to the July movement.
Rokeya Begum, the mother of July martyr Jabir Ibrahim and a candidate for a reserved women’s seat, spoke on behalf of the families affected by the events. Injured activist Atikul Islam demanded immediate action on the “70 percent people’s verdict,” warning of repercussions if the referendum’s wishes were disregarded.
Tasmiya Pradhan, chairperson of Jagpa, accused the government of disrespecting the July martyrs within the parliament. The event also featured speeches from various opposition figures, including NCP lawmaker Nahid Islam, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, and LDP Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmad.
