Photo : TDM
The country has been witnessing of late an escalation in the anti-government movement as different opposition political parties and Islamist groups unite in their near-simultaneous efforts to the incumbent government's plan to hold next general elections under the supervision of running Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
With the countdown to the upcoming general elections already underway, the demand for a neutral administration and a free, fair, and credible parliamentary poll is at the forefront of the opposition's grievances.
Leaders of some of the opposition parties, including the BNP, Jatiya Party, and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have expressed strong reservations about the government's proposal to conduct next elections with the current prime minister at the helm.
They argue that such a setup could compromise the impartiality and transparency of the electoral process.
The situation has become even more charged as several prominent political party leaders and Islamic party leaders find themselves behind bars due to their alleged anti-government activities. This has added fuel to the fire, with many viewing the arrests as attempts to suppress dissent and opposition voices.
However, the ruling Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has defended its stance, asserting that the elections will be held in accordance with the country's constitutional guidelines.
The Awami League has emphasized its commitment to upholding the democratic process and ensuring a smooth transition of power, in line with the principles of democracy.
Meanwhile, the main opposition BNP has already announced its grand rally in the capital on 27 July to press home their one-point demand for a non-partisan polls-time government.
Besides the BNP, 37 like-minded parties, including the Gonotontro Moncho, 12-party alliance, Nationalist Alliance, Gono Odhikar Porishod (Reza Kibria), LDP, Gono Forum, and
Democratic Left Unity Alliance, have also decided to hold grand rallies on the same day in the Capital separately.
BNP sources said, following the 27 July grand rally, the BNP and their like-minded parties plan to organise successive programmes in the capital.
Talking to The Daily messenger, BNP leader Barrister Rumin Farhana said, “We will continue our anti-government movement as long as our one-point demand is not met.”
Seeking anonymity, a top BNP leader said their upcoming events may include a Dhaka march, sit-in programme, to force the government to realize its demand. The upcoming ‘sit-in’ programme is likely to be scheduled in Dhaka during either August or September, he said.
When contacted, Zonayed Saki, the Chief coordinator of Gono Sanghati Andolan said the government is orchestrating a lopsided election again using state machinery. However, he thinks, government’s dream will not come true anymore.
“People of the country have already awakened. Opposition's anti-government protests will soon transform into a nationwide mass movement,” he said adding that the upcoming election must be held under a neutral government."
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday announced that it will hold a rally in Dhaka city on August 1 to press home the demands for establishing caretaker government, release of its leaders including Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and control of price hike of essentials.
The party will also hold rallies in divisional headquarters on July 28 and district headquarters on July 30.
Talking to The Daily Messenger, Shafiqul Islam Masud, secretary of Dhaka south city unit Jamaat-e-Islami, said their party has already announced its agenda. There will be no elections in the country without a caretaker government.
“Despite the various programs announced by the opposition political parties to expedite their anti-government movement, their goal remains the same. We are united in achieving our goal on the field,” he said.
Replying to a question as to whether there is unity among the Islamic parties keeping the election in mind, he said that the election is not only for the Islamic parties. Currently, everyone focuses on unity, not just Awami League and its alliance partners. though we are from different political party but our political objectives and programmes remain the same.
Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB), one of the major Islamic political parties in the country, has also announced Youth rally in Dhaka on July 28.
When contacted, IAB’s Senior Joint Secretary Gazi Ataur Rahman, said that their position is firm. They will not participate in any elections under the current government.
“Our stance is clear we will not join the next general election under Sheikh Hasina. And we support any political party that is protesting with the BNP to meet the demand of holding the next polls under neutral caretaker administration,” he said.
Amidst this political turmoil, various Islamist groups, including Hefazat-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Khelafat-e-Islam, Jamiate Ulamae Islam, Jamiate Islam Bangladesh,
Khatme Nabuwat Sangrakkhon Parishad and Muslim League have joined forces to demand the immediate release of their top leaders currently in jail. They have issued a strong warning of escalating protests and tough movements if their demands are not met promptly.
Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh's Amir Maulana Muhibbullah Babunagari, said the time of the current government has come to an end and that they can no longer keep the Islamic scholars imprisoned in jails. Today, the demand for the release of detained Islamic scholars resonates in public protests.
“I will tell the government, if you want your own well-being, release all of our detained leaders immediately. Otherwise, be prepared for the consequences. If you seek peace, free the country’s Islamic scholars and seek apology to the nation,” he said.
TDM/SD
