Ensure justice or find a way out: Jamaat Ameer to government

Opposition leader in parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman has called for justice to be served for the disappearances, murders and genocides committed during the Awami League government that was ousted in the student uprising of 24. He told the government, "You must ensure justice. Otherwise, you must find a way out."

Shafiqur Rahman made these remarks as the chief guest at a protest rally organized by 11 parties demanding justice for all disappearances, murders and genocides committed during the Awami League era in Bijoynagar, the capital, on Tuesday.

The opposition leader said, 'This nation, which was crushed under the millstone of 15 and a half years of fascist rule, was liberated by Allah Almighty only two years ago through the movement of our students, workers, youth and the people.' Commenting on the fact that the party that was oppressed and persecuted like Jamaat at that time is in power today, the Jamaat Amir said, 'They demanded justice for every murder then. During the election, they said that if elected, they will judge all the murders and tortures that have taken place. Now, after coming to power, their tone has changed.'

Stating that more than 600 people have been brutally murdered in the country in the last four months, the opposition leader said, "What is even more sad is that this party (BNP) has killed its own workers with its own hands. Those who have no responsibility and compassion for their own workers, what responsibility and compassion will they have for 200 million people?"

Criticizing the government, the Jamaat Amir said, "It is a matter of shame that the government, while talking about being free from fascism, has now started walking on the very path of fascism. The governor of Bangladesh Bank, unwanted interference in various banks, occupying universities and colleges with party loyalists, appointing administrators in each district, they could not even keep the playground free from the party. In this way, they are practically moving towards a one-party fascist rule again."

The opposition leader said to the government, "We are protesting every issue in Parliament regarding the path you are taking. You know very well how you got the two-thirds majority. And the people of this country know. And some royal witnesses have already been found in this regard."

Calling for the protection of the country's independence and sovereignty, the Jamaat leader said, "No one has the capacity to compromise on the independence and sovereignty of this country. Trusting in Allah, I have extended an invitation to you today for that future revolution."

Shafiqur Rahman said that the opposition party will remain in parliament as long as there is an atmosphere for discussion in parliament. He said, "The day the need for parliament ends, the day it feels like there is no point in speaking in parliament, that day we will come out saying God is Hafez in parliament."

At the rally, National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam said, "Trial of all disappearances and murders including the July massacre, Shapla massacre, Peelkhana massacre, and the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi must be ensured immediately. If justice is not ensured, this government will not be able to complete its five-year term."

Nahid Islam also said, "We have not seen any new verdict in the ICT (International Criminal Tribunal) in the last four months since the formation of this new government. No new investigation report has been submitted so far. It is clear that the Chief Prosecutor who has been appointed has failed to discharge his duties. He must resign immediately."

Commenting that the Awami League's opportunity to come to the country and do politics in Bangladesh ended on August 5, the NCP leader said, "Those who are compromising, those who are dreaming of rehabilitating the Awami League in politics, will have the same fate as the Awami League."

"Sharif Osman Hadi's killers are being raised in India by their sons-in-law," said Amir Mamunul Haque of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, commenting, "I want to tell the Indian government that Bangladesh has the right to try Hadi's murder. Hand over those killers to Bangladesh."

Mamunul Haque also said, 'The fascism that has been expelled from Bangladesh will not return in its old form, and we will not allow it to return in a new form.'

The Amir of the Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis has accused the government of stalling on the July Memorial Museum. He warned, "Remember, if you try to stab the July Revolution in the back, you will be erased from history."

The rally, chaired by Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General and Coordinator of the Liaison Committee of the 11-party alliance, Hamidur Rahman Azad, was also addressed by Khilafat Majlis Senior Nayeb Amir Ahmed Ali Qasemi, AB Party General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, Labor Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, JAGPA Vice President Rashed Prodhan, Jamaat's Dhaka Metropolitan North Amir Selim Uddin, and Metropolitan South Amir Nurul Islam Bulbul, among others.