BCS exam: After backlash, Jamaat reschedules demos to 18, 19 Sept afternoons
Jagpa now announces demos over same demands
The Jamaat-e-Islami has rescheduled its 18-19 September demonstrations from morning to afternoon, following social media backlash over concerns that its rallies and protest marches would clash with the 47th BCS preliminary exams and affect examinees.
In a statement on its official Facebook page today (16 September), the party said the schedule change aims to ensure a peaceful environment for BCS candidates.
To press home a five-point demand, Jamaat unveiled a three-day programme at a press conference on Monday (15 September), which includes a rally and protest march in Dhaka on 18 September, protest marches in all divisional cities on 19 September and protest marches across all districts and upazilas on 26 September.
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The five demands are holding the February general election based on the July Charter; introducing proportional representation (PR) in both parliamentary houses for the next election; ensuring a level playing field before polls; visibly prosecuting the fascist regime's massacres and corruption; and banning the activities of the Jatiya Party (JaPa) and the 14-party alliance.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis also announced similar protests over almost the same demands.
Jamaat's programme announcement sparked backlash across social media as the 47th BCS preliminary exam is scheduled for 19 September. However, no exam is set for 18 September.
The Islamist party acknowledged the issue, saying it had taken a "very conscious and responsible stand" in response.
"We believe that holding the programme in the afternoon will not disrupt the examination activities," the Facebook statement reads.
Jamaat said that special instructions have been issued to its branches across the country to refrain from holding any programme in the morning on those two days. Events will only take place in the afternoon.
After Jamaat, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) announced political programmes on 18, 19, and 26 September over similar demands.
Jagpa announced three days of demonstration programmes to drive home seven demands – legal basis for the July Charter and national polls under its framework; bringing Sheikh Hasina back from India and making her stand trial; visible progress in trials over all mass killings, oppression, torture and corruption committed under the Awami League regime; and disclosing and cancelling all secret and unequal agreements made with India during the Awami League era.
Jagpa's programmes involve a march in Dhaka on 18 September, mass outreach in divisional cities on 19 September and marches in organisational districts on 26 September, Jagpa Vice-President Rashed Prodhan announced at a press conference at the party's Purana Paltan office in Dhaka today.
