The Khulna divisional rally, initiated by 8 agitating parties, was held on Monday (December 1) afternoon at the city’s historic Babri Chattar (Shibbari intersection). Speaking as the chief guest at the rally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “We do not want the victory of 8 parties, we want the victory of 180 million people of Bangladesh. We want a corruption-free society, justice and economic freedom.” He alleged that after the August 5 revolution, extortion and anarchy have increased in various places and that negative influence is being exerted on the administration.
Ameer of Islamic Movement Bangladesh Pir Saheb Charmonai Mufti Syed Md. The rally, chaired by Rezaul Karim, was attended by special guests including Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Allam Mamunul Haque, Khilafat Majlis Senior Nayeb Ameer Maulana Sakhawat Hossain, Nezame Islam Party Secretary General Mufti Musa Bin Izhar, Khilafat Andolan Secretary General Maulana Yusuf Sadiq Haqqani, JAGPA Vice President Engineer Rashed Pradhan, BDP Chairman Advocate Anwarul Islam Chan and top leaders of various Islamic and national parties.
The rally began at 12 noon with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Jamaat-e-Islami Central Shura Member and Khulna Metropolitan Secretary Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hussain Helal and Islami Andolan Bangladesh Metropolitan Vice President Sheikh Md. Nasir Uddin were the moderators. Leaders of various parties spoke at the rally on the overall political situation of the country, establishment of justice, creation of a corruption-free state and democratic rights.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said to the young voters, “If anyone wants to steal your votes this time, we will not let it happen. We will fight together to establish your right to vote.” He mentioned inequality in the education system, drug addiction, terrorism and corruption as major obstacles to the country’s progress.
Pirsaheb Charmonai said that the government is spreading confusion on the pretext of not being ready for the elections. He claimed that 8 parties are fully ready for the elections, but the ruling party is conspiring for fear of losing public support.
Mamunul Haque said in his speech that holding a referendum before the national elections is essential to ensure the legal basis of the July Charter. At the same time, he sought prayers for the health of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Other speakers said that if 8 parties come to power, there will be no extortion and corruption in the country. The people are already united, so it will be possible to confront any conspiracy. The speakers called for running the country according to the law of Allah, establishing good governance and building a just society.
The speakers also said that there is no election without a referendum – first a referendum, then an election. They demanded the introduction of the PR system in both houses.
At the rally, local and central leaders called on the people to build a “corruption-free and peaceful Bangladesh” by making 8 parties win in the next election. They expressed their belief that if we can work together, new opportunities will be created in the National Parliament to protect the rights of the oppressed people.
