Movement in Parliament, Streets to Continue: Shafiqur

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said the opposition will continue its movement both in parliament and on the streets until the verdict of the July National Charter referendum is implemented.

Speaking at a rally organised by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis at Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday afternoon, Shafiqur warned that the movement would persist if the people’s mandate is not accepted.

“As Almighty Allah is my witness, our movement will not rest until this verdict is implemented. The movement will continue in parliament, and it will continue in the streets,” he said at the event titled “Mass Rally to Demand Implementation of the Referendum Verdict.”

Drawing a historical parallel, he cautioned against ignoring public opinion, referring to the events that led to the Bangladesh Liberation War. He said the consequences of dismissing the people’s verdict in the past should serve as a warning.

Shafiqur added that the opposition would not need to continue its agitation if the government accepts the referendum outcome. “If you accept this verdict, we will not need to stand here again to press this demand,” he said.

Referring to remarks by Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizens Party (NCP), he said a united movement inside and outside parliament could become an unstoppable force. “The day parliament and the streets become one, no barrier will be able to hold back that tide,” he said.

He also criticised the ruling administration, accusing it of failing to honour its commitment to inclusive governance and alleging that divisive politics continues despite earlier promises.

Recalling key slogans from last year’s uprising, Shafiqur said calls for justice and equal ownership of the country had united people across the nation. He also paid tribute to religious scholars who, he said, had sacrificed their lives during the protests, pledging that their contributions would not be forgotten.

The rally, chaired by Mamunul Haque, was also addressed by opposition leaders including Oli Ahmed and Mujibur Rahman Manju.

In his speech, Mamunul Haque announced a three-month protest programme to press for implementation of the referendum results and to address what organisers described as ongoing national challenges.

The programme includes district-level rallies throughout May, June and July, culminating in a mass march in Dhaka on August 5, signalling a sustained phase of political mobilisation by opposition groups.