Shafiqur leads opposition walkout, warns of street protests over referendum reform

"We are shocked and hurt; the public mandate is being ignored," says the opposition leader

Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman has warned that there is “no option but protest” over what he described as the government’s disregard for the referendum outcome.

The opposition staged a walkout during the sixth working day of the 13th Parliament's first session on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters later at the Parliament Secretariat’s media centre, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur confirmed that an 11-party alliance would soon meet to decide on further action.

"There is no doubt that we have no choice but to launch a movement. We will take to the streets with the people," he said.

"We are shocked and hurt. Bangladesh has seen three referendums before, and none ended like this. In those instances, the public mandate was respected," he added.

The walkout followed an earlier point of order where the opposition alleged they received no "remedy" regarding an adjournment motion to convene the Constitution Reform Council.

Shafiqur argued that despite initial consensus between the treasury and opposition benches on the referendum, the government was now disregarding the "final will of the people".

"I urged them to honour the public's verdict so this Great Parliament could be honoured, but they failed to show respect to that call," he added, demanding the implementation of the July Charter.

Reflecting on the formation of the interim government following the Aug 5, 2024, political shift, the Jamaat chief recalled a meeting at Bangabhaban.

He noted that President Mohammed Sahabuddin had explicitly confirmed receiving and accepting the former prime minister’s resignation.

"We wanted a swift return to constitutional and democratic rule. We advised the president to sit with the youth and student leaders who led the uprising and to consider our suggestions to bring order back to the country," Shafiqur said.

He noted that although the president had committed to dissolving Parliament and releasing Khaleda Zia promptly, the country faced a vacuum in governance and law enforcement between Aug 5 and 8, 2024.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Khan, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, and Khelafat Majlis leader Pirzada Hanzala were present at the briefing.