A Rajshahi Divisional Rally was held at the historic Madrasa field at the initiative of the 8-party alliance to meet it’s 5-point demands, including issuing the implementation order of the July National Charter and holding a referendum on that order. On Sunday (30 November) from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, central leaders of the 8 parties addressed the rally.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman said, “The parliament of the future will be free from extortion and terrorism. We will resist the extortionists, InshaAllah. Those who took extortion in the past will not have any chance anymore. The parliament of the future will be a Parliament based on the Qur’an. In the coming days, the Secretariat, the Parliament, and the Judiciary will operate according to the Qur’an—everything will run according to the commands of the Quran.”

Addressing the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar said, “A new awakening has emerged through the 8-party alliance. A referendum must be held before the national election. The government decided on holding the referendum and election on the same day based on someone’s bad advice.”

He said, “Hope has stirred in the hearts of the people — the new Bangladesh will be the Bangladesh of Islam. This struggle is a struggle against extortion, corruption, and terrorism. We, the 8-party alliance, have brought the message of awakening. The message of change must reach the villages and towns. This 8-party alliance is no longer only 8 parties; many more parties are requesting to join us. Everyone hopes for a new Bangladesh.”

He further said, “The referendum must be held before the national election. There is still time — change the gazette. The people want the referendum beforehand. There is still time — change the date. We do not want to push the government into crisis. Otherwise, confusion will arise. People may intend to vote ‘Yes’ but accidentally vote ‘No’.”

He said, “One party is still plotting conspiracy. Votes will be cast in favor of ‘Yes’ in the referendum. A ‘Yes’ vote means the establishment of a new anti-fascist state, against corruption, and for good governance. The people’s mandate must not be destroyed. The people of Bangladesh will not accept any conspiracy.”

He alleged that law and order has severely deteriorated. He strongly condemned the attacks on female workers.

At that time, the rally’s president, and Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Rafiqul Islam Khan, said, “The July Revolution was not carried out under the leadership of any single party. But this government is entering the pocket of one party. We say — maintain neutrality. The referendum must come first.

Conspiracies are ongoing. The election must be held in due time. The referendum must be held first. The genocide must be brought to justice. Law and order must be improved. This country is not anyone’s father’s property, not any family’s property. This country belongs to 180 million people. We, the 8 parties, have reached consensus on many issues. In the election, there will be one candidate from the 8 parties. We will vote for that candidate.”

Calling one party the “extortion gang,” Rashed Pradhan, Vice President and Spokesperson of the Jatio Gonotanrik Party (JAGPA), said that in the upcoming election, the people will answer bullets with ballots. He said, “Allah gives respite, but He does not abandon — the RAKSU election is proof of that. Three referendums have been held before; never once were they on the same day as an election. There is no precedent in history of holding elections and a referendum on the same day. The Chief Election Commissioner has said that holding a referendum and election on the same day is a challenge. Those who will organize it have understood this, but BNP has not. The people have understood, but the interim government has not.”

He said, “The interim government has recognized Awami League as the genocidal party; the genocidal Awami League has been banned, but the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, who legitimized the genocide, have not been banned yet. Immediately ban the 14-party alliance.”

Rashed Pradhan further said, “The ‘extortion gang’ is tearing posters. They may tear the posters of the 8-party leaders, but they cannot erase themselves from the hearts of the people. Bullets are being fired during election campaigning. The people will answer bullets with ballots. Vote for ‘Yes’ in the referendum, and stamp on the symbol of the 8-party alliance.”

At the time, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Central Executive Council member and Ameer of Dhaka City South, Nurul Islam Bulbul, said, “A referendum must be held before the national election. Election and referendum cannot be held on the same day. The administration must be neutral to create a level playing field. The killers must be brought to justice. Elections must be held in both chambers through the PR method.”

At the rally, President of Bangladesh Development Party, Advocate Anwarul Islam Chan, said, “One party has taken a position for ‘No’ in the referendum. The people will vote in favor of ‘Yes’ and reject them. Make the decision — stand with the July Charter and ensure the victory of ‘Yes.’ InshaAllah, all votes will fall into Islam’s ballot box.”

Ashraf Ali Akand, Presidium Member of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, said, “The people of the country want change. They want a prosperous and happy Bangladesh. The people have awakened. They do not want to see extortionists. We will transform the parliament into an effective one. Unity must be preserved. No one must be allowed to create division. The Islamic party must be brought to state power. We will build a prosperous and happy country. The situation of the country is critical. Still, rallies are being attacked with gunfire, injuring people — we will not tolerate this. We must go to the people. We will strive to build a welfare state, InshaAllah.”

Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party’s Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdul Majed Athari said, “We have shed blood, and we will shed more if necessary, but we will first hold the referendum and implement the July Charter. Otherwise, elections will not be allowed in the country. The referendum must take place before the election, and the July Charter must be implemented before conducting the election. Our struggle is not a struggle of one day — it has been ongoing since 1947. We will once again struggle and surely establish the law of Allah and the governance of the Qur’an, InshaAllah.”

The rally was jointly conducted by Rajshahi City Jamaat’s Secretary and Convener of the Rally Implementation Committee, Emaz Uddin Mondol, and Mufti Imran.

Speakers included Islami Andolon Bangladesh’s Organizational Secretary Mufti Sheikh Md. Nurunnabi; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish’ Central Organizational Secretary Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin; Khelafat Majlish’ Central Organizational Secretary Sheikh Md. Salauddin; Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon’s Joint Secretary General Principal Roknuzzaman Rokon; Jamaat-e-Islami’s Rajshahi City Ameer Dr. Maulana Keramat Ali; Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Mohammad Jahangir; RAKSU VP and President of Rajshahi University Branch Chhatrashibir, Mostakur Rahman Jahid; and other local leaders.

Message Sent by:

Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad (Former MP)
Coordinator, Liaison Committee of the 8 Agitating Parties