Jamaat, 7 allied parties say movement to continue, next course of action to be announced later
The bloc did not declare the indefinite blockade of the chief adviser’s residence, State Guest House Jamuna, although it had been widely expected
The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and seven of its allies announced today (16 November) that their demonstrations will continue until all their demands, especially those concerning the implementation of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Ordinance and a national referendum, are fully met.
The announcement was made by Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar at a joint press conference of the allied parties at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, who said the eight-party liaison committee will convene at a later date to determine the specific schedule of future protest programmes.
However, the bloc did not declare the indefinite blockade of the chief adviser's residence, State Guest House Jamuna, despite warnings issued earlier on 14 November.
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Porwar stated that the parties' movement would remain in force to ensure the complete implementation of the demands that have only been partially fulfilled.
The eight-party liaison committee will convene at a later date to determine the specific schedule of future protest programmes.
The press conference followed a morning meeting of the eight-party top leadership, chaired by Ameer-e-Jamaat Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party's central office.
Regarding the question of whether the bloc would remain in the field amidst fears that the Awami League might cause sabotage centring on the verdict announcement for Sheikh Hasina tomorrow (17 November), Porwar said "the nation would not give the fascist Awami League any opportunity for sabotage activities".
"On the day the verdict is announced, we, the eight parties in the movement, will remain in the field," he confirmed.
The Jamaat secretary general added that in today's meeting, the top leadership of the eight parties agreed that they will cast a 'Yes vote' in favour of the reforms in the referendum and will "encourage everyone to cast a 'Yes vote.' Because we were in favour of important fundamental reforms."
However, Porwar expressed deep concern over the concurrent announcement of the referendum on the July Charter and the date for the upcoming national election. He warned that the dual announcements have created "confusion and a crisis" among the people, which the interim government must resolve.
Addressing the recent reshuffling within the administration, including the transfer of DCs, UNOs, and OCs, Mia Golam Porwar alleged that these appointments and transfers were being carried out through secret consultation to appease a specific political party, thereby undermining the "level playing field".
Urging Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to take a neutral stance on the administrative changes, he said, "We call upon the chief adviser to maintain a neutral role".
The like-minded parties had previously mobilised protest marches across the country on 14 November to press home its demands. While the most extreme action, the Jamuna blockade, was withheld, the announcement confirms the continuation of the eight-party bloc's demonstrations.
