Published : 05 Sep 2026, 04:39 PM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:47 AM
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has warned that no one will be given any leeway if the rights of the people are undermined.
“We have not taken to the streets today for any party, individual or group. We have come out on behalf of 180 million people,” he said
Speaking at a rally at Dhaka's Shapla Chattar on Saturday ahead of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance’s long march to Chattogram, the Opposition leader said: “If anyone toys with the people’s rights, the people will not spare them.”
The opposition bloc is holding the long march to press home a series of demands, including implementation of the reforms endorsed in the referendum, justice over the July killings, measures to address shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, action against extortion and corruption, improvements in law and order, and an end to partisan influence.
According to Shafiqur, the protest programme had already begun to have an impact, with reactions emerging in different places.
Referring to public hardship, Shafiqur said people were struggling with shortages of gas, water and electricity while still facing regular bills.
He also called for action against extortionists and corrupt people.
“We will not tolerate any extortionist or corrupt person in Bangladesh,” he said.
“People are fed up with extortionists, and their rights are being taken away by the corrupt.”
The rally began in Motijheel at 7am with a recitation from the Quran.
A large convoy left for Chattogram shortly after 8:15am.
Organisers said roadside rallies would be held near Kanchpur Bridge in Narayanganj, Paduar Bazar Bishwa Road in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni and Mirsharai before the programme ends with a rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.
Shafiqur announced the broader series of long marches at a sit-in in Dhaka’s Muktangan on Aug 6.
Further programmes are planned from Dhaka to Rangpur on Sept 19, Khulna on Oct 10 and Sylhet by rail on Oct 24, followed by a mass rally in Dhaka on Nov 14.
