Published : 05 Aug 2026, 09:13 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of the Opposition in parliament, has criticised the BNP government for its "protracted" approach to rehabilitating the families of the martyrs of the July Uprising, providing proper treatment to the injured, and ensuring the trial of the “fascists”.
He says Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will have to "answer” for “who he is colluding with to ignore the demands of the nation”.
Shafiqur spoke at an 11-party rally in the Dhaka’s Baitul Mukarram area on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of the July Uprising.
"The credit for the July Uprising belongs to the people. Its leadership belongs to the youth. There was no mastermind in this movement."
He also demanded the rehabilitation of the families of the July martyrs and proper treatment of the injured at home and abroad.
Demanding the trial of the Awami League, the Jamaat chief said: "The ‘fascists’ must be brought to justice and their punishment must be ensured. The signs are not good. I can't see a single positive one. Everything seems to disappear like quicksand. We want to know who is colluding with them to ignore the demands of the nation. The prime minister must answer.
“He made these same demands before the election. Why are they now melting away?"
The Opposition leader questioned the government's stance over the July National Charter, saying it was not accepting the nation’s verdict in the referendum.
He said, "This is a clear betrayal of the nation. And they have admitted it in parliament.
"Thank you for admitting it. Remember, through this confession, you have registered your names as fraudsters before the nation."
On Jun 28, during the budget session discussion in the second session of the 13th Parliament, Salahuddin Ahmed, who led the BNP during the reform discussions under the interim government, said: "Yes, we came to an agreement on the July Charter for the sake of an election to protect the nation’s interests. And we signed it.
“We might not have agreed on all those points, but we compromised on them for the sake of the nation.”
Salahuddin, who is also a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said: “Why is this being misinterpreted? We have to keep an eye on those who had planned not to hold elections, but to stay on for five years.”
Referring to the statement, the Jamaat chief said: “You are frauds. That is why when many July fighters see members of this government, they shout ‘fake, fake’.”
The leaders and activists present at the rally then shouted “fake, fake”. Shafiqur said, “This is shameful for the nation.”
At a rally chaired by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque, National Citizen Party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said, “Many histories have stood as witnesses to this - Tarique Rahman will not remain in power. He will not remain in power.
“His downfall has begun. Now [Tarique] will point his pistol. And we will say, we have already lost 1,400 people - shoot us in the chest, but we will not waver.”
Regarding July activists, he said: “No position, no money can buy them.”
“There will be no negotiation. Not the slightest bit. You will fall.”
He said, “The people of Bengal will bring about your downfall. Only by giving you the proper education, as we did to Sheikh Hasina, will we take forward into the future of this second war of independence.”
Addressing 11-party alliance leaders and activists, Patwary said: “Be careful, stay aware of your surroundings, keep yourselves safe. Be alert so that the Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal do not commit any atrocities against the people.
“If there is no electricity or gas anywhere, then take to the streets with plates and bowls.
Addressing the government, he said: “If you cannot govern, leave power. We can govern. This prime minister’s chair is not yours, it belongs to the people. We have to protect this chair.”
