No compromise on people's rights, democratic interests: Jamaat chief

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (8 July) said there would be no compromise on the people's rights and democratic interests, warning that his party would continue its movement if necessary to achieve meaningful political reforms.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the 11-party alliance at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Dhaka's Kakrail, Shafiqur said Jamaat's position on reforms was clear and that Bangladesh must undergo fundamental political and institutional changes in line with the aspirations of its 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.

He also called for the immediate convening of the Constitutional Reform Council, implementation of the public mandate expressed through the referendum and trials for all incidents of mass killings.

Speaking at the seminar, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque alleged that the BNP was following a "planned process" to push the spirit of the July movement and July revolution out of Bangladesh's mainstream politics.

"It is unfortunate and deeply concerning. We have yet to see any effective government initiative to implement the spirit of July. Instead, there are organised attempts to weaken it," he said.

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

"No matter what arguments are presented, we will not compromise on implementing the referendum's verdict," he said.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain criticised the BNP, saying the party had promised structural reforms through its 31-point reform proposal but had gradually begun opposing key reform measures after joining discussions at the National Consensus Commission.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami / Jamaat Ameer / Shafiqur Rahman

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