Refusal to take reform council oath insults July Uprising: Shafiqur

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (18 February) said failing to take the oath as members of the Constitution Reform Council would amount to insulting the 2024 July Uprising, stressing that the spirit of July must be recognised and its reform agenda implemented.

Speaking to journalists while participating in a road cleaning and sanitation drive at Monipur High School in the capital, Shafiqur said, "It is because of this movement that this election took place, Tarique Rahman became prime minister, and I became the opposition leader."

"Without July, could we have achieved this?" he said, urging all political actors to honour its mandate.

The Jamaat chief further said, "It is the sacred duty of this Parliament to implement the reform proposals that have emerged based on the aspirations of the July movement. If the ruling party takes the initiative, we, as the opposition, will provide our full cooperation."

"However, if this government fails to take action, we will speak on behalf of the people," he added.

During the cleaning and sanitation drive, Shafiqur used a broom to clean dirt and waste from the streets and placed the collected garbage into a designated vehicle accompanying the team.

He spent approximately 15 to 20 minutes engaged in the cleaning activities.

The opposition leader said they had taken oaths as members of parliament and the Constitution Reform Council and aimed to serve the country through meaningful reforms.

He assured that just as they were cleaning the streets, they also wanted to remove social and moral impurities, sending a message to the people of the nation about building a clean environment and a responsible, compassionate society.

Shafiqur urged each unit of the organisation to spend at least half an hour daily after Fajr on cleanliness drives before engaging in other social service activities with their families.