Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has warned the government that the opposition’s current eight-point demand could escalate into a single demand for resignation if public needs are continuously ignored.
Speaking at a rally during the 11-party alliance's long march from Dhaka to Rangpur on Saturday, Shafiqur urged the administration to "learn from the recent past" before facing a dangerous political crisis. The remark drew clear parallels to the July 2024 uprising where student demands eventually shifted to a single point, toppling the previous government.
The alliance launched the long march from Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue and scheduling roadside rallies in Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, Bogura and Gaibandha before a final gathering in Rangpur.
The opposition's core demands include implementing the February 12 referendum verdict, ensuring justice for the July 2024 killings, resolving the ongoing energy and fertilizer crises and controlling soaring commodity prices. They are also demanding an end to corruption, extortion, partisan politics, and calling for the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.
During the rallies the coalition leaders heavily criticized the ruling BNP government and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. NCP leader Nahid Islam accused the administration of failing to protect human rights while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque warned that ignoring public grievances would lead to a popular uprising.
Despite the strong rhetoric the Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar assured the public that their movement would remain strictly peaceful also avoiding disruptive programs like hartals.
"We have taken to the streets for 180 million people and we will return home only after achieving these demands," Shafiqur stated.
