Jamaat, 6 other parties to hold protests in Dhaka this afternoon
Seven political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, will hold simultaneous protest marches in the capital, Dhaka, on Thursday afternoon, demanding that the national elections scheduled for February be held based on the July National Charter, among other demands.
Before the marches, the parties will hold brief gatherings near Baitul Mokarram Mosque, the National Press Club, and surrounding areas.
The seven parties have announced a three-day programme with nearly identical demands. On the first day, protests will take place in Dhaka; on Friday, in divisional cities; and on September 26, across all districts and upazilas. The participating parties are Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA).
The parties’ key demands include holding the February national election based on the July National Charter, introducing a proportional representation (PR) system in both houses of parliament, ensuring a level playing field for all to guarantee a free, fair, and acceptable election, prosecuting all atrocities, mass killings, and corruption by the current government, and banning the activities of the National Party and the 14-party alliance.
According to party sources, Jamaat will hold its protest march at 4:30 pm following a gathering at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque. Central and Dhaka city leaders, including Naib-e-Amir Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, will address the gathering. The programme is organised by Jamaat’s Dhaka City North and South units.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh will stage its protest march after Zuhr prayers at the north premises of the mosque, led by senior Naib-e-Amir Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim. The Dhaka City North and South units of the party jointly organised the programme.
Three parties will protest in front of the National Press Club. Khelafat Majlis will gather at 3:00 pm, with Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Qader present, followed by Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party at 4:00 pm. JAGPA will hold a protest march at 4:30 pm in front of the Bijoynagar water tank.