Ready to drop PR demand only if people reject in referendum: Islami Andolan
The rally was part of the party’s announced programme to press home its five-point demand, which includes holding PR-based elections under the July Charter, ensuring a level playing field for polls, trial of mass killings, and banning the activities of fascist collaborators during the trial period.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim has called for a referendum on the proportional representation (PR) system in national elections, based on the July Charter, stating that the party will withdraw its demand only if the people vote against it.
"Let the people decide on PR through a referendum. If they reject it, we will no longer demand it," Faizul said while addressing a rally as the chief guest in front of the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka after the Duhr prayers today (18 September).
The rally was part of the party's announced programme to press home its five-point demand, which includes holding PR-based elections under the July Charter, ensuring a level playing field for polls, trial of mass killings, and banning the activities of fascist collaborators during the trial period.
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However, Faizul, widely known as Shaikh-e-Charmonai, argued that most people want PR, as reflected in multiple surveys.
Referring to BNP, he said, "We have long campaigned for PR. If BNP trusts the people, then what problem do they have with PR? Let them win 90% of the votes and run the country with 270 seats. But why don't they trust the people?"
The Islami Andolon leader also questioned whether delays in recognising the July Charter were due to external pressure. "If you hold elections without reforms and justice, we will assume the government is siding with a particular party," he said.
Faizul further clarified that their movement is independent and not led by any specific political party. "Simultaneous movements mean different groups agitating for the same demands in their own way. However, some are portraying this as being under the leadership of one party. That is not correct. Journalists should be more careful in reporting."
Criticising the recruitment of music teachers in secondary schools, he said, "The standard of education in primary schools is already very poor. Instead of appointing teachers for language, science, mathematics, and information technology, recruiting music teachers is clearly a deliberate move."
Speaking at the rally, the party's Dhaka North President Principal Hafiz Maulana Sheikh Fazlay Bari Masud said, "For the past 5 months and 5 days, we tried in various ways within the National Consensus Commission to bring the issue of PR to the lower house, but failed.
"The commission claims they cannot include PR in the agenda because of orders from above. We want to know — who are these forces from above?"
Dhaka South President Maulana Muhammad Imtiaz Alam also spoke at the event. The rally was also attended by central and city leaders.
Following the rally, a protest march started from Paltan intersection, ending at Baitul Mukarram with prayers.
As part of the programme, protest rallies and marches will be held tomorrow in divisional cities.
In Dhaka, two gatherings will take place in Badda and Dholaikhal areas, where Islami Andolan Ameer and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim will be present at both.
Later, around 4:30pm today, Jamaat-e-Islami's programme, organised by its Dhaka city north and south units, hold another protest rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram. Top party leaders addressed the gathering.
In total, seven Islamic parties — including Jamaat, Islami Andolan, and Khelafat-e-Majlis — staged separate processions and rallies across Dhaka today, reiterating common demands such as implementing the July Charter, introducing the PR system, and ensuring a level playing field for a free, fair, and acceptable election.
