Staff Reporter :
Eight Islamist political parties, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the chief adviser demanding the immediate implementation of the July National Charter and a referendum before the upcoming general elections.
The parties warned that if their demands are not met by November 10, they will stage a grand rally in Dhaka the following day. Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan received the memorandum on behalf of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at his official residence, Jamuna.
After submitting the memorandum, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar told reporters that the eight-party alliance stood united behind the call for reforms. “We are sincerely ready to extend all possible cooperation to the government in resolving the ongoing political crisis,” he said, urging the advisory council to swiftly act on their five-point demand.
Issuing a warning, Porwar said, “If our demands are ignored, Dhaka will look very different on November 11. Before the capital becomes resounding with the footsteps of millions, we urge the interim government to accept our demands and respect the people’s aspirations expressed in July.”
Earlier in the day, leaders and activists of Jamaat and its allies gathered at Purana Paltan intersection for a brief rally before launching a protest march toward Jamuna. Police erected barricades near Matsya Bhaban, halting the procession, though senior representatives managed to proceed to the chief adviser’s residence to hand over the memorandum.
Addressing the rally, Porwar praised the chief adviser’s reform efforts, saying, “You have honoured the people’s aspirations by forming six commissions for state reform and consolidating all political proposals through the Consensus Commission. Now, it is your responsibility to implement that consensus. Without delay, issue the July Charter implementation order.”
He reiterated the demand for a referendum before the election, saying it could be held “any day in November” to establish the legal foundation for the reforms.
The five-point demand outlined in the memorandum calls for: immediate implementation of the July National Charter and a referendum within November; introduction of proportional representation in the next national election; ensuring a level playing field for all parties; bringing to justice those responsible for oppression and corruption under the previous regime; and banning the activities of the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, whom they termed “accomplices of dictatorship.”
Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, addressing the rally, said the July Charter reflected the sacrifices of the people and must not be undermined. “You have started playing tricks regarding the referendum before the election. Delaying tactics will only put you in trouble,” he warned the interim government.
Taher said the alliance was currently maintaining a peaceful, systematic movement but hinted at stronger action if the government continued to delay. “We will not let our July achievement go in vain,” he said.
Regarding concerns over funding the referendum, Taher remarked, “The amount of extortion that takes place in Bangladesh in a single day is enough to fund a referendum.”
He also urged the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to join the dialogue process, adding, “We have already announced a committee for the talks; the government should do the same.”
The eight-party alliance includes Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP).
As tensions mount ahead of the national polls, the alliance’s threat of a massive rally on November 11 has added pressure on the interim government to address the growing calls for reform and consensus on the July Charter’s implementation.
