A whole lot of 1000’s of supporters of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist get together took half in a rally within the capital, Dhaka, demanding an overhaul of the electoral system.
The South Asian nation is predicted 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 get together additionally stated it desires 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 website the place the Pakistani military surrendered to a joint drive of India and Bangladesh on December 16, 1971, ending the nine-month conflict.
“We’re right here for a brand new Bangladesh, the place Islam could be the guideline of governance, the place good and sincere folks will rule the nation, and there shall be no corruption,” stated Iqbal Hossain, 40.
“We’ll sacrifice our lives, if vital, for this trigger.”
‘No discrimination’
Some demonstrators wore T-shirts bearing the get together’s emblem, others sported headbands inscribed with its identify, whereas many displayed metallic badges formed like a scale – the get together’s electoral image.
Many younger supporters of their 20s and 30s have been additionally current.
“Underneath Jamaat-e-Islami, this nation may have no discrimination. All folks may have their rights. As a result of we observe the trail of the holy guide – Quran,” stated Mohidul Morsalin Sayem, a 20-year-old pupil.
“If all of the Islamist events be part of fingers, quickly, no one will be capable of take energy from us.”
The get together’s chief, Shafiqur Rahman, stated the nation’s battle in 2024 was to remove “fascism”, however this time, there could be one other struggle towards corruption and extortion.
“How will the long run Bangladesh seem like? There shall be one other struggle … We’ll do no matter is critical and win that struggle,” Rahman stated.
After Bangladesh’s independence, Jamaat, which sided with Pakistan throughout Bangladesh’s conflict of independence in 1971, was banned.
It later re-emerged and registered its greatest electoral efficiency in 1991 when it secured 18 seats.
The get together additionally joined a coalition authorities in 2001, however didn’t construct lasting in style assist.
Whereas Prime Minister Hasina was in energy from 2009 till she was toppled in student-led protests final yr and fled to India, prime leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have been both executed or jailed on fees of crimes towards humanity and different severe crimes in 1971.
Final month, the Supreme Court docket restored the get together’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 get together 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 thousands and thousands of individuals – useless 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 fees of crimes towards humanity.