No long march would be needed if people were not deceived: Jamaat Ameer
Mohsin Raju, Bogura
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman made strong remarks about the government on Saturday. He serves as Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition. He said the long march would not be needed if the government had not betrayed the people. Dr. Rahman spoke as chief guest at a roadside rally in Bogura town.
The rally took place at Matidali intersection around four thirty in the afternoon. It was part of the Dhaka to Rangpur long march organized by the 11 party alliance. Dr. Rahman said the ruling party has lost sleep since the march was announced. He said officials now question why the opposition marches so soon.
He said the government avoids a more important question instead. He asked why the government insulted people before even taking power. Dr. Rahman criticized the government’s work over the past five and a half months. He said the government came to power on the blood of July martyrs.
He then asked what the government has actually done since then. Dr. Rahman accused the government of failing to control corruption. He said officials once promised to choke corruption completely. He said corruption rates have instead increased under this government.
He also criticized the government over the farmers’ fertilizer crisis. He raised concerns about the ongoing gas and electricity shortages. He criticized the government over mysterious inflated electricity bills as well. Dr. Rahman then raised allegations of discrimination in job recruitment.
He said officials use a new strategy in the hiring process. They raise written exam scores and lower viva voce scores. He alleged this scheme helps place party loyalists and criminals into jobs. Dr. Rahman said his community is ready to sacrifice again if needed.
He said young people deserve their right to fair employment. He vowed they will not tolerate discrimination in any form. Dr. Rahman then addressed the eight point demands behind the long march.
He said these demands belong to no single party or group. He said all 18 crore people of the country share these demands. He said one final demand becomes unnecessary if the eight points are met. He warned the government to prepare for that final demand otherwise.
Dr. Rahman then hinted at future plans. He noted this march traveled from Dhaka toward Rangpur. He said the next long march will go from Panchagarh toward Dhaka, God willing. He urged supporters to start preparing now.
Several leaders attended the roadside rally alongside Dr. Rahman. These included Mr. Nahid Islam, Convener of National Citizen Party (NCP). Mr. Mamunul Haque, Ameer of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, also attended. Professor Mr. Mia Golam Parwar, Secretary General of Jamaat, joined as well. Other central leaders of the 11 party alliance were present too.
