Staff Reporter:
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Sunday insisted that the upcoming referendum should be rescheduled and conducted before the national election to guarantee transparency and credibility.
Speaking at a Rajshahi divisional rally held at the historic Madrasah Ground and organised by an eight-party alliance led by Jamaat, Parwar said, “The government’s directive is not sacred scripture; it can be revised.”
He accused the interim administration of fixing the election and referendum for the same date based on “misguided advice,” which he warned could lead to a major political crisis.
Parwar cautioned state officials and law enforcement agencies against participating in any attempt to establish what he termed “neo-fascism,” adding that the public expects the referendum to precede the national vote.
He said the eight-party alliance is growing steadily as more political groups express their intention to join hands with them. According to Parwar, successive governments since independence have faced allegations of extortion, corruption, and violence-issues that must be rooted out to build a renewed Bangladesh.
He pledged that corruption would be given a “red card,” and that terrorism and oppression would be wiped out.
He added that dissenting voices would not be silenced but respected, while the country’s youth would be transformed into skilled manpower through moral, technical, and production-based education.
Parwar expressed hope that the enlarged alliance could play a significant role in materialising the vision of a new Bangladesh.
Despite the announcement of the election date, he questioned whether the polls would actually be conducted in a free and impartial manner.
Reiterating their five previously stated demands-such as ensuring a level playing field, introducing a proportional representation system, recognising the July Charter, and prosecuting “fascist elements”-he voiced deep concern over what he described as a sharp decline in law and order.
He cited the broad-daylight shooting and stabbing of two individuals on the Khulna court premises as an example, asking how the administration could guarantee electoral security when it failed to prevent a murder outside a courthouse.
Parwar urged the Chief Adviser and Home Adviser to maintain neutrality, avoid covert efforts to bring any party to power, and ensure no repeat of past vote manipulation.
