Staff Reporter :
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has termed Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s announced demonstrations as “contradictory,” noting that dialogue on implementing the July Charter is still in progress.
“Every citizen has the right to launch movements for democratic causes, and we do not object to that-it is their constitutional right. But since talks are ongoing over the July Charter, calling protests at this stage appears contradictory,” Salahuddin told journalists on Monday.
He further said that the BNP rejects any approach outside the judiciary when it comes to banning political parties.
“Those who aided fascism or engaged in crimes must be held accountable only through legal proceedings,” he stressed.
On the issue of proportional representation (PR), Salahuddin said the BNP has no official stance, adding that “the PR model is not realistic for Bangladesh.”
Earlier in the day, Jamaat-e-Islami announced demonstrations in Dhaka and across districts on 18, 19, and 26 September to press five demands, including a July Charter-based national election, adoption of proportional representation in parliament, and a ban on Jatiyo Party (JaPa) along with other members of the 14-party alliance.
Meanwhile, Islami Andolan Bangladesh leader Syed Rezaul Karim, widely known as Charmonai Pir, unveiled similar programmes on the same dates, raising nearly identical demands. Alongside them, several other Islamic parties are also preparing to stage parallel movements for common goals.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, under the leadership of Maulana Mamunul Haque, yesterday announced a three-day agitation programme with five demands.
Mamunul declared that marches would take place in Dhaka on 18 September, in divisional headquarters on 19 September, and across all districts and upazilas on 26 September.
