A party repeatedly obstructing legal and constitutional basis of July Charter: Jamaat
July Charter must be implemented before the election through constitutional order and referendum; otherwise, the country will plunge into a grave crisis, he says
A particular political party is repeatedly obstructing the process of giving legal and constitutional recognition to the July Charter, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has alleged.
"Jamaat is working towards ensuring the people's aspiration for free and fair elections—both on the streets and through the Election Commission. But a certain party continues to block the effort to establish a legal and constitutional basis for the July Charter. They argue that reforms can wait until after the election. Because of them, a level playing field has not been created yet," Porwar said today (18 September) during the party's protest rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
"We have stated clearly that the July Charter must be implemented before the election through a constitutional order and a referendum. Otherwise, the country will plunge into a grave crisis," he added.
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Addressing the public, he added, those who now declare that all laws and reforms will be annulled after the election must be "judged through votes."
Porwar warned that if reforms are not ensured before the election and the polls are held under the existing structure, "it will inevitably lead to the resurgence of fascism."
He stressed that without a legal basis for the July Charter, a level playing field for elections cannot be established.
"Many people ask why we are leaving the negotiation table and moving to the streets. The reason is that discussions are not yielding fruitful results. Our movement is to reflect the aspirations of the people," he explained.
Porwar further said Jamaat would respect the people's mandate if they reject the proportional representation (PR) system in a referendum.
"But why are you so afraid of a referendum?" he questioned.
Meanwhile, the party's Assistant Secretary General, Hamidur Rahman Azad, said, "Jamaat has repeatedly said that meaningful reforms require a legal basis. The next election must be held on that foundation. And to make the election fair, the PR [proportional representation] system is necessary."
"Only then will there be a free, fair, credible election and a level playing field," he said.
"The administration will then be able to organise the polls smoothly, like those of the recently concluded Ducsu and Jucsu [where Shibir leaders were elected]," the Jamaat leader mentioned.
Jamaat-e-Islami started its protest rally this afternoon from the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, beginning with a recitation from the Holy Quran.
The programme was organised to press a set of demands, including holding the next national election under the framework of the July Charter and the introduction of a PR system.
Parallelly, Islami Andolan Bangladesh started its rally at the mosque's north gate following the Zuhr prayers, and just concluded following the beginning of the Jamaat rally.
In total, seven Islamist parties — including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, 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.
