‘Majority power can’t override people’s will’
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has accused the government of trampling on public aspirations by using its two-thirds parliamentary majority, warning that Bangladesh has a history of people demonstrating their power.
He made the remarks at a briefing following a meeting of top leaders of the 11-party unity at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition on Minto Road in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.
Porwar said there was no precedent in the country’s history for a government rejecting the outcome of a referendum in which, he claimed, 70% of voters had participated.
He urged the government not to go against the people’s will by using its parliamentary majority. He also alleged that the administration had used its majority to interfere with the Heba law and alter laws based on the Quran and Sunnah.
The Jamaat leader further alleged that the government was seeking to disqualify MPO-listed teachers from contesting elections by amending the local government election law.
He said several political parties had developed what he described as a “fascistic and authoritarian” character by attempting to exercise their majority power in every sphere. The government, he said, should learn from history and abandon such a course.
On constitutional reform, Porwar called on the president and prime minister to intervene.
Only six months had passed since the election, he said, warning that continued governance in violation of promises made to the people could lead to a serious crisis and eventually leave little scope for corrective measures.
He urged the president to intervene and persuade the ruling party to pursue constitutional reform, while calling on the prime minister to accept the coalition’s demand.
Porwar announced that the 11-party unity would hold a press conference at the National Press Club at noon on September 20 to press its demand for constitutional reform.
Porwar also announced details of the coalition’s planned long march to Rangpur on September 19.
The programme will begin with an opening rally at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 7am.
Roadside gatherings are scheduled at Bhogra Bypass Road in Gazipur at 9am, Nagar Jalfoi Bypass Road in Tangail at 10:30am, Hatikumrul intersection in Sirajganj at noon, Matidali Biman intersection in Bogura at 4pm and Palashbari four-way intersection in Gaibandha at 5:30pm.
The march will conclude with a rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground at 7pm.
Porwar said the demand for implementation of the Teesta Master Plan had been added to the coalition’s existing seven-point charter of demands.
The briefing was attended by 11-party unity coordinator and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Acting Secretary General Billal Hossain Miazi, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Jalaluddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman (Iran), Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party Secretary General Musa Bin Izhar, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Anwarul Islam, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) spokesperson Rashed Prodhan, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon Secretary General Fakhrul Islam and AB Party Joint Secretary General Abdullah Al Mamun, among others.
