Police Halt March of Jamaat and Seven Other Parties

Police stopped a procession of eight Islamic political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, at the Matsya Bhaban intersection in Dhaka as they marched toward Jamuna with a memorandum demanding five key points, including a referendum before the national election and implementation of the July National Charter.

However, the top leaders of the parties are proceeding to the Chief Adviser’s Office to submit the memorandum. The delegation includes Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General A H M Hamidur Rahman Azad, Khelafat Majlish’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Ahmad Ali Qasemi, and National Democratic Party (Jagpa) Vice President Rashed Pradhan.

Around 12:15 pm on Thursday (November 6), a large procession began from Paltan intersection through the Press Club area. During the march, participants chanted slogans in favor of holding a referendum in November and other related demands.

As announced earlier, activists from eight Islamic parties, including Jamaat, gathered at Purana Paltan after marching from Shapla Chattar. Following a brief rally there, they set out toward the Chief Adviser’s residence at Jamuna.

Earlier that morning, after 10 a.m., Jamaat activists from different parts of Dhaka South began marching in groups toward Shapla Chattar, where they later joined a short rally with leaders of other participating parties.

The five-point demands of the parties are as follows—

Issue an order to implement the July National Charter and hold a referendum on it within November.

Introduce the Proportional Representation (PR) system in both or upper houses in the upcoming national election.

Ensure a level playing field for free, fair, and credible elections.

Bring visible justice for all oppression, killings, and corruption committed by the past fascist government.

Ban the activities of the National Party and the 14-party alliance.

The eight Islamic parties involved in the movement are— Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, National Democratic Party (Jagpa), and Bangladesh Development Party.

Khaborwala/TSN