No compromise on democracy reforms

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said his party will support the government’s positive initiatives, but will not compromise on people’s rights, democratic interests or the demand for meaningful reforms.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at a seminar organised by the 11-party alliance at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka’s Kakrail.

Shafiqur said Bangladesh needs fundamental political and institutional reforms in line with the aspirations of the people.

“We will cooperate with the government in all good initiatives. However, there will be no compromise on the question of people’s rights and democratic interests. If necessary, our movement will continue,” he said.

The Jamaat chief also called for the immediate formation of the Constitutional Reform Council, implementation of the public mandate expressed through the referendum, and trials over all incidents of mass killings. Speaking at the same event, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque accused BNP of trying to sideline the spirit of the July movement from mainstream politics.

He alleged that there had been no effective government step to implement the spirit of July, while organised efforts were being made to weaken it.

“It is unfortunate and deeply concerning. We have yet to see any effective government initiative to implement the spirit of July,” Mamunul said.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the verdict delivered by the people through the referendum must be respected. He said neither the government nor BNP had any moral or political right to ignore the referendum result.

“No matter what arguments are presented, we will not compromise on implementing the referendum’s verdict,” Porwar said.

National Citizen Party Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain also criticised BNP, saying the party had earlier promised structural reforms through its 31-point proposal but later began opposing key reform measures during discussions at the National Consensus Commission.

Speakers at the seminar said political reforms, constitutional accountability and public mandate must remain central to Bangladesh’s democratic transition.