Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has rescheduled its programmes announced for 18 and 19 September, shifting them from morning to afternoon to avoid causing difficulties for candidates of the 47th BCS preliminary examination, which is scheduled for 18 September.
The announcement was made in a statement posted on the party’s official Facebook page at 10:56 am on Tuesday (16 September).
According to the statement, Jamaat had earlier announced on 15 September a three-day programme on 18, 19, and 26 September based on its five-point demand aimed at ensuring a free, fair, and acceptable election in February under the July national charter.
The statement read: “In this situation, for the sake of ensuring a smooth and peaceful environment for the BCS examination, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has taken a very conscious and responsible position. We believe that if the programmes are held in the afternoon, they will not interfere with the examination process. Accordingly, all concerned units across the country have already been given special instructions that no protest programmes can be held in the morning of 18 and 19 September. Programmes will only be held in the afternoon.”
It further stated: “We sincerely pray that BCS candidates can take part in the exam with proper preparation and successfully pass, so that they can play an important role in building a new Bangladesh of the future and fulfilling the aspirations of the nation.”
Party sources said Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and several other parties are preparing to launch a “simultaneous movement” with five demands, including elections under the Proportional Representation (PR) system.
As per the announced programmes, the parties will hold protest marches in all divisional cities on 19 September. On the same day, the preliminary test of the 47th BCS examination will be held in Dhaka and seven other divisional cities from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Job seekers had earlier expressed concerns about possible disruptions. Taking these concerns into account, Jamaat adjusted the timing of its programmes.