Shafiqur warns BNP against ‘one-party rule’

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday accused the ruling BNP of drifting toward authoritarianism despite its pledge to free the country from fascist rule, warning that failure to ensure justice for past abuses could trigger another mass uprising.

Speaking at a rally in the capital’s Bijoynagar, Shafiqur alleged that the BNP had begun “walking the path of fascism” after coming to power and was moving toward what he described as a de facto one-party system.

“Bangladesh has witnessed revolutions time and again,” he said. “We want to make it clear: either ensure justice or find your way out.”

The rally was organised by the 11-Party Alliance to press for the trial of all cases of enforced disappearances, killings and alleged massacres committed during the tenure of the Awami League government.

Shafiqur claimed that although BNP leaders had promised before the election to prosecute those responsible for enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture during the previous regime, their position had changed after assuming office.

“They are not ensuring justice,” he said. “Instead, more than 600 people have been brutally killed over the past four months. Even BNP activists have allegedly been killed by members of their own party.”

He questioned whether a party that, in his view, failed to protect its own supporters could effectively safeguard the interests of the country’s 200 million people.

Addressing BNP leaders directly, the Jamaat chief urged them not to become oppressors after having suffered oppression themselves.

“We respectfully request you: you were victims, do not become perpetrators. Please ensure justice for the disappearances and killings committed during the previous regime,” he said.

Shafiqur also alleged that efforts were underway to suppress justice in the murder case of Inquilab Mancha convener the late Shahid Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

“Even now, no charge sheet has been submitted. The people want to know whom this delay is intended to satisfy and what truth is being concealed,” he said.

Referring to the recent killing of Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Saifullah Bari in Gaibandha, he said individuals could be killed, but ideologies could not be eliminated through violence.

“You can remove a person from this world through murder, but you cannot kill an ideology,” he said.

The Jamaat leader also criticised remarks allegedly made by a senior BNP leader about eliminating Jamaat’s ideology and warned against pursuing such a course.

“Do not talk too much about elimination,” he said. “This is a virus—the virus of fascism, extortion, corruption and partisan rule.”

He argued that another popular movement was becoming inevitable to free the country from those tendencies and pledged that Jamaat would remain at the forefront of such a struggle.

Shafiqur also stressed the importance of protecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty, saying no foreign power should be allowed to undermine the country’s independence.

“If anyone casts a red eye toward Bangladesh, we will not allow it. If any black hand is extended, it will be crushed,” he said. “The hands of 200 million people will protect this country.”

The opposition leader further accused the government of politicising key institutions, including the central bank, commercial banks, educational institutions and local administration.

“From the governor of Bangladesh Bank to appointments in universities and colleges, and even sports fields, partisan influence is expanding,” he alleged.

On parliamentary politics, Shafiqur said Jamaat would remain in parliament only as long as it could effectively serve national interests and express its views freely.

“The day we believe parliament is no longer serving its purpose, we will say goodbye and leave,” he said.

The rally was attended by leaders of several opposition parties, including National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, Liberal Democratic Party Acting Secretary General Billal Hossain Miahji, AB Party Secretary General Asaduzzaman Fuad and NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, among others.

The programme was chaired by 11-Party Alliance Coordinator and Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad.