No election without legal basis for July Charter: Jamaat Ameer

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, demanding a referendum to establish legal grounds for the July Charter, declared, "Our demands are few but crystal clear. The July Revolution must be recognised. To recognise it, the July Charter needs a legal foundation. No election can be held without this."

He spoke at a rally of eight parties, including Jamaat, protesting at Dhaka's Paltan intersection on Tuesday afternoon. 

The groups pressed a five-point demand, including an order to implement the July National Charter and a referendum on it.

To ensure elections in 2026, Rahman said, “The July Revolution must first be acknowledged. There will be no 2026 polls for those rejecting the July Revolution."

He asserted that the public demands a referendum before elections, noting all parties agree on it. "Then why haggle over the date?"

With parties ready to sign the July Charter, he argued, holding the referendum first is logical. 

"This will remove doubts about the next election." 

The eight parties, including Jamaat, want national polls before February's Ramadan, he added, warning against creating confusion on this.

Shafiqur Rahman said the July Charter reflects the majority's view. In democracy, minorities must accept the majority's will. 

"But some refuse. If they disrespect democracy in the Charter itself, how will they respect national elections?"

Without naming parties, he urged understanding the language of July uprising's martyrs and injured. 

"Victory in the upcoming election will belong to the people, not any party. Listen to what the people want. Those failing to grasp this should face the consequences."

"The parties speak politely and will continue to," he said. "But they will stand firm as the Himalayas on their demands—these are the people's demands, not any party's."

To the eight parties' leaders and workers, he said, "Stay prepared. Until the people's demands are met, our movement will accelerate, InshaAllah."

A new programme will be announced soon, he said, with top leaders of the eight parties meeting post-rally to decide the next steps.

The rally was chaired by Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim. 

Speakers included Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan South Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud, Islami Andolan Joint Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Qaiyum, and Co-Propaganda and Dawah Secretary KM Shariatullah.

Others addressed the event are Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, Islami Andolan Secretary General Yunus Ahmad, Senior Presidium Member Mujaddid Billah Al Madani, Khilafat Majlis Amir Abdul Basit Azad and Joint Secretary General Jahangir Hossain, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Amir Mamunul Haque, Secretary General Jalaluddin Ahmad, Bangladesh Nezami Islam Party Amir Sarwar Kamal Azizi, Secretary General Musa Bin Izhar, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan Amir Habibullah Miyaji, Secretary General Yusuf Sadiq Haqqani, National Democratic Party (JAGPA) Vice President and Spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, General Secretary Professor Iqbal Hossain, Bangladesh Development Party President Anwarul Islam Chan, and General Secretary Kazi Nizamul Haque.