Jamaat-led 11-party alliance holds protest rally in Dhaka over post-election 'violence'
Following the rally, a procession marched past the Press Club and Matsya Bhaban, concluding at Shahbagh.
The leaders and activists from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance began a protest rally in the capital this afternoon (16 February), condemning alleged violence, repression, killings and rape following the 13th national election.
The rally started around 4:30pm at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
Addressing the gathering, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said, "The dreams people had for Bangladesh had been shattered by election manipulation, irregularities and post-poll violence."
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"Winning through a flawed election and then unleashing attacks and rape reminds us again of fascism," he said.
He also urged the Election Commission to investigate, without delay, the alleged irregularities in the announcement of results.
The Jamaat leader further criticised what he described as "paid intellectuals" who, he said, argued after the election that the government was not bound to accept the outcome.
Porwar demanded justice for slain Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, and for killings during the July Uprising, and called for acceptance of the July National Charter for forming a new state, saying people would not accept "even a slight deviation".
Without mentioning any party's name, National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser Nasiruddin Patwary alleged that "they did not just steal votes, they carried out robbery".
"We want democracy in Bangladesh, and the people have given a mandate in favour of reforms. Extortion and corruption must stop," he said.
Patwary added, "The street movement must continue against the repression of women. The alliance will hold 'engineer' Tarique Rahman accountable. We feared none but Allah. We urge people not to lose hope."
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque alleged, "After the election there had been brutality across the country, including rape of women, repression and arson attacks on homes. These were attempts to restore fascism."
"But people will resist fascism. Those who pave the way for fascism will end up fleeing to Delhi," he said.
He further claimed that 'deep-state engineering' was employed to prevent certain candidates from entering parliament, despite peaceful voting throughout the day.
Dhaka-12 MP-elect and Jamaat Central Executive Council member Saiful Alam Khan Milon said, "We had expected a free and fair election, but that did not happen, and violence followed."
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said they had not expected to return to the streets even before entering parliament. "Attacks and repression against the public, particularly women, were heinous crimes."
He vowed that the 11-party alliance would continue its struggle both inside and outside parliament.
Speaking at the rally, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) Vice-President and spokesperson Rashed Prodhan alleged that the 2026 election was "managed" following what he termed a "dummy vote" in 2024, claiming manipulation through police, administration and the commission, and attacks on opposition activists after the polls.
Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran claimed that vote engineering had been planned and later implemented, followed by nationwide repression.
AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju referred to a recent Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report and called for a prompt investigation, saying the election had brought "stigma".
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Omar Faruk, son of Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, said their alliance had erred in placing trust in the interim government and urged vigilance to prevent any "rehabilitation of fascism".
Following the rally, a procession marched past the Press Club and Matsya Bhaban, concluding at Shahbagh.
