Bangladesh’s largest Islamist social gathering rallies for honest elections
Lots of of hundreds of supporters of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist social gathering took half in a rally within the capital, Dhaka, demanding an overhaul of the electoral system.
The South Asian nation is anticipated to move to the polls subsequent yr because it stands at a crossroads after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami positioned a seven-point demand on the nation’s interim authorities headed by Muhammad Yunus to make sure a free, honest and peaceable election, justice for all mass killings, important reforms and the proclamation and implementation of a constitution involving final yr’s mass rebellion.
The social gathering additionally stated it needs the introduction of a proportional illustration system within the election.
Hundreds of supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami spent the night time on the Dhaka College campus earlier than the rally.
On Saturday morning, braving the sweltering warmth, they continued to stream in direction of Suhrawardy Udyan, a historic web site the place the Pakistani military surrendered to a joint pressure of India and Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, ending the nine-month warfare.
“We’re right here for a brand new Bangladesh, the place Islam can be the guideline of governance, the place good and sincere folks will rule the nation, and there will probably be no corruption,” stated Iqbal Hossain, 40.
“We’ll sacrifice our lives, if crucial, for this trigger.”
‘No discrimination’
Some demonstrators wore T-shirts bearing the social gathering’s emblem, others sported headbands inscribed with its title, whereas many displayed metallic badges formed like a scale – the social gathering’s electoral image.
Many younger supporters of their 20s and 30s have been additionally current.
“Underneath Jamaat-e-Islami, this nation could have no discrimination. All folks could have their rights. As a result of we observe the trail of the holy ebook – Quran,” stated Mohidul Morsalin Sayem, a 20-year-old scholar.
“If all of the Islamist events be part of palms, quickly, no one will be capable to take energy from us.”
The social gathering’s chief, Shafiqur Rahman, stated the nation’s battle in 2024 was to remove “fascism”, however this time, there can be one other combat towards corruption and extortion.
“How will the long run Bangladesh appear like? There will probably be one other combat … We’ll do no matter is important and win that combat,” Rahman stated.
After Bangladesh’s independence, Jamaat, which sided with Pakistan throughout Bangladesh’s warfare of independence in 1971, was banned.
It later re-emerged and registered its finest electoral efficiency in 1991 when it secured 18 seats.
The social gathering additionally joined a coalition authorities in 2001, however didn’t construct lasting standard assist.
Whereas Prime Minister Hasina was in energy from 2009 till she was toppled in student-led protests final yr and fled to India, high leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have been both executed or jailed on prices of crimes towards humanity and different severe crimes in 1971.
Final month, the Supreme Courtroom restored the social gathering’s registration, paving the way in which for its participation in elections slated for subsequent April.
In an announcement on X, Hasina’s Awami League social gathering reacted sharply to Yunus’s authorities permitting Saturday’s rally.
The assertion stated the transfer “marks a stark betrayal with the nationwide conscience and constitutes a brazen act of undermining hundreds of thousands of individuals – lifeless and alive – who fought towards the evil axis [in 1971]”.
The Yunus-led administration has banned the Awami League, and Hasina has been in exile in India since final August. She faces prices of crimes towards humanity.
