Jamaat, allies were defeated through polls conspiracy

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday alleged that Jamaat and the 11-party alliance were defeated in the election through a “conspiracy”.

“If Jamaat-e-Islami and the 11-party alliance had revolted that day, or rejected the results and disorder had broken out, nobody knows where it would have ended. So, the alliance showed responsibility,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a national seminar organised by the alliance at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the capital.

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The seminar was titled “Spirit of the July Uprising, Implementation of the Referendum Mandate, Trial of Crimes Against Humanity in the July Genocide, and Our Accountability”.

Shafiqur warned that their movement would intensify if the referendum mandate was not implemented.

“We will raise our voice inside parliament. Our street movement is continuing with equal force and will gain further momentum, defying storms and rain…. It takes some time for iron to turn red. But when it turns red, the people will know how to strike it with a hammer.”

He alleged that the interim government, despite being known as neutral and non-partisan, was also part of the conspiracy, and that it was “later admitted”.

The Jamaat chief accused the BNP of deceiving people by not keeping its word.

“We were surprised to see a self-admitted witness to deception standing in parliament. If there had been even a little shame or modesty, this would not have happened. It is good that the nation has recognised them. There is no longer any scope for giving any other explanation. Whatever is said there is practically written down and becomes part of history, unless it is expunged. Since this statement was not expunged, this self-admission also remains on record.”

He added that the BNP had described the July Charter as a “document of endless deception”. “And standing in the same parliament, they proved that they themselves had deceived the nation endlessly.”

Referring to the referendum, he said the BNP was asking how ordinary people would understand its four questions.

“My question is: if people do not understand four questions, how do they understand 31?” he asked, referring to the BNP’s 31-point demand.

“Four is fewer than 31. In that case, people did not understand the 31 points either. So, you are calling the people ignorant.”

The opposition leader further said public trust in politics would decline if parties changed their positions according to convenience.

In an apparent reference to the BNP, Shafiqur said they had been oppressed together, waged movements together, taken part in elections, and were running the government together.

“But now, from the statements of some friends, it seems they have never seen us. Have they forgotten so quickly? It will not take long for them to remember. One shake is enough.”

Shafiqur added that the 11-party alliance would not accept any fascism, old or new, and could not be threatened with jail or oppression.

On the referendum mandate, he said they would not tolerate any insult to the nation’s verdict and would continue their struggle to honour it.

Warning against insulting July warriors, he said people should show restraint. “If you do not, all garbage will be swept away by the turbulent tide of the people.”

“We are not in favour of taking the law into our own hands. But no one should again dare to cross the bounds of decency and insult July [uprising].”

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad moderated the seminar, while Advocate Tajul Islam, former chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, presented the keynote paper.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, NCP Member Secretary and opposition lawmaker Akhtar Hossain, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque, AB Party General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuaad, and JAGPA spokesperson Rashed Prodhan also spoke.

LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmad chaired the seminar.

Addressing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Oli said the 11-party alliance was not his enemy and wanted what was best for him and the country. He urged him to accept the reform proposals.