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Bangladesh’s 11-party alliance has announced a Dhaka–Chattogram long march on September 5, demanding the implementation of the referendum verdict and the fulfilment of the aspirations of the July mass uprising.
The alliance warned that it would mobilise the public to mount a stronger response if the government failed to address its key demands.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the alliance’s top leaders at the residence of the Leader of the Opposition on Minto Road in Dhaka on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman.
After the meeting, Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, along with Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and alliance coordinator Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, briefed journalists.
Alliance leaders said the long march would begin with a public rally in Dhaka on September 5 before proceeding towards Chattogram, with roadside rallies planned at various points. They also said similar programmes would later be organised across the country.
The leaders alleged that six months after the formation of the government, no effective initiative had been taken to implement the referendum verdict. They accused the government of ignoring public opinion by failing to form a constitutional reform council.
They also criticised the government’s performance, alleging a deterioration in law and order, increased public suffering, rising extortion, fertiliser shortages for farmers, an energy crisis and mounting economic pressure on ordinary people.
The alliance further claimed that fuel shortages were forcing industries to shut down and that the rising cost of essential goods had intensified public hardship.
On foreign policy, the leaders criticised the government’s handling of developments surrounding former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s August 5 press briefing in Delhi.
They also said that meaningful relations between Bangladesh and India should be based on mutual respect and equality.
The alliance raised concerns over what it described as repression of opposition student groups and student union leaders at universities. It also alleged increasing political influence in state institutions, including constitutional bodies.
The leaders warned the government against what they called attempts to dilute constitutional reform through limited amendments instead of broader changes, saying the referendum verdict and the aspirations of the July mass uprising must be respected.
Calling the September 5 programme a democratic movement, the alliance urged people across the country to join the long march and said it would oppose any political or administrative obstruction.
Senior leaders of the 11-party alliance, including Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, JAGPA Vice-President Engineer Rashed Pradhan and AB Party General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, attended the meeting.
The alliance said addressing shortages of electricity, oil and gas, controlling rising prices and preventing industrial closures were among the key objectives of its movement.