He made these remarks as the chief guest at a mass rally organized by the 11-party alliance on Wednesday (August 5) at the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital, marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, "The July Movement has no single mastermind. The masterminds of this movement are the thousands of oppressed people. The credit for the movement belongs to the entire nation, and the credit for leadership belongs to the student-youth community. There should be no bickering over this credit."
He said that the nation will forever remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives, were injured, disappeared, or were subjected to torture and false cases from October 28, 2006, to August 5, 2024. Noting that the martyrs are not the asset of any political party but of the entire nation, he called for refraining from divisive politics over them.
The Jamaat Ameer demanded advanced medical treatment and rehabilitation for those injured in the July Movement, state dignity for the families of the martyrs, and the swift completion of trials for the killings.
Criticizing the government, he said there has been no visible progress in implementing many of the promises made during the movement. He called on the government to be more sincere in meeting the expectations of the people.
Regarding the energy crisis, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman alleged that a crisis is deliberately created before raising gas and electricity prices, so that the price hikes can be portrayed as justified. He questioned that if the crisis can be resolved after raising prices, then why was it not resolved earlier?
He further said that the government has failed to take effective steps to reduce the rising prices of essential commodities, the gas and electricity crisis, and public suffering. He also alleged that instead of reducing the cost of living for the people, new pressures are being created.
Warning of another movement if people's rights are violated, the Jamaat Ameer said, "No fascism will be allowed to be established on the soil of Bengal again. Respect must be shown to the people's verdict. The movement will continue until a new Bangladesh based on justice, human dignity, and people's rights is established."
Various leaders of the 11-party alliance spoke at the rally. Colonel (retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party, said that national unity is needed to build a Bangladesh free from foreign influence. Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad demanded the implementation of the decision for a referendum. National Citizen Party leader Nasir Uddin Patwary called for democratic reforms, justice for the martyrs, and ensuring the fundamental rights of the people.
Additionally, leaders from various political parties, including Bangladesh Citizen Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran, and National Democratic Party (JAGPA) Chairman Rashed Pradhan, spoke at the rally. Top leaders of the 11 parties were present at the event.
