Officials who were with 'fascists' must be removed from the administration: MP Shahjahan

Shahjahan Chowdhury, member of Jamaat Central Working Committee and lawmaker of Chattogram-15, has called for officials who served under the previous government to be removed from the administration, saying those who held "midnight elections" must go.

"Those who ran the 'facists' government, those who held the midnight elections, must be removed from the administration. There can be no political interference. The administration must be run according to the rights and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh," he said.

He made the remarks as a special guest at a rally at the historic Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram today (5 September), organised as part of an 11-party alliance's Dhaka-Chattogram long march.

Shahjahan said the alliance's struggle was against corruption and political influence and called for reforms to key state institutions.

"We are fighting against corruption and political patronage. The Anti-Corruption Commission must be made effective. The Human Rights Commission, police and judiciary must be reformed," he added.

He also said meaningful administrative reform would not be possible while officials who had been associated with the previous government or involved in alleged repression remained in service.

"Those in the administration who were with the fascists, who were involved in repression and persecution of the people, cannot be kept in the administration if we want reform," he said.

Shahjahan questions govt's actions in its first six months

Shahjahan also questioned the performance of the current government during its first six months in office.

"We also believe six months is not a long time for a government. But looking at the path you have taken in these six months, it seems we have already understood how you intend to run the country in the future," he said.

However, he said the current government should not be held responsible for the entire 18 years of the Awami League regime.

"The Awami League looted the country, committed corruption, abused power, and committed injustice in the name of the judicial system. Those who were in government for 18 years bear the greatest responsibility.

"We will not hold you responsible for six months. But our struggle is against the conspiracy to let corrupt people go without facing justice," he added.

Calls for July Charter implementation

Speaking about the July Charter, Shahjahan criticised the government's position that the document could be amended.

"We are saying the July Charter must be implemented. The government says it will amend the July Charter. There is a huge difference between amendment and reform," he said.

He argued that an amended charter could be overturned by a future government and called instead for reform of the charter and implementation of the referendum verdict.

"We want reform of the July Charter. The verdict of the referendum must be implemented," he said.

On the referendum, he claimed that 70%of voters had supported it, compared with the 50% vote share he attributed to the government and 19% received by the 11-party alliance.

"We are not making any unjust demand. Seventy percent of the people voted in favour of the referendum. You came to power with 50%, while the 11 parties received 19%. Why should the verdict of 70% of the people not be implemented?" he said.

Shahjahan also called for the trial of those he accused of carrying out repression and politically motivated prosecutions against Jamaat leaders during the previous government.

He also demanded justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, saying those responsible must be brought to trial in Bangladesh.

Calls for flyover to be named after Shibir leader

Shahjahan also urged the Chattogram City Corporation mayor and the Chattogram Development Authority to take steps within a week to name another flyover in the city after Chhatra Shibir leader Faisal Shanto, who died during the 2024 July Uprising.

"I would request the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation and the CDA to take the initiative within a week to name another flyover after Faisal Shanto," he said.