Tuesday, 14 October, 2025
As discussions on implementing the July Charter continued at the National Consensus Commission, six political parties — including Jamaat-e-Islami — have launched coordinated street protests to press home their five point-demand.
Their five-point agenda includes:
• Holding the national election in February based on the July Charter
• Implementing the PR system in both parliamentary chambers
• Ensuring a level playing field for a free, fair, and credible election
• Visible justice for all atrocities, massacres, and corruption under the “fascist government”
• Banning the activities of “allies of the autocracy”, namely the Jatiya Party and the 14-party coalition
With the exception of the PR system demand, none of these positions conflict publicly with BNP’s stance. Even calls to prosecute the so-called “allies of fascism” have not elicited opposition from the BNP.
Since mid-September, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Khilafat Andolan, and the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) have staged marches, rallies, and leaflet campaigns nationwide.
Their five-point agenda includes holding the national election in line with the July Charter, introducing PR in both chambers, ensuring a level playing field for a credible election, delivering justice for past atrocities and corruption, and banning the activities of “allies of autocracy,” particularly the Jatiya Party and the 14-party coalition.
Except for the PR demand, none of these positions publicly contradict the BNP’s stance. Even calls to prosecute the so-called “allies of fascism” have not drawn objections from the party. The National Consensus Commission concluded dialogue on Wednesday night, agreeing to hold a public referendum on the July Charter before the polls.
Despite this, the six parties have continued their street campaigns, with demonstrations across the capital, divisional towns, and districts since September 18, culminating in mass marches on October 10. Additional memoranda are planned to be submitted to district commissioners nationwide.
JAGPA Vice-President Rashed Prodhan told bdnews24.com, “We are mobilising public opinion in support of our programme. Our aim is to have the PR system included in the referendum. This campaign is not directed against any party or faction.” Jamaat-e-Islami Deputy Chief Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher explained, “Protests alongside dialogue are not new in Bangladesh. We are engaging in dialogue while continuing our street programmes simultaneously. The protests are productive and will gain momentum, with more campaigns planned.”
Among other parties, reactions are mixed. Salahuddin Ahmed, a BNP Standing Committee member, said, “I do not see the Islamist parties’ protests as an attempt to pressure the BNP. Demonstrating is their democratic right, but the BNP believes problems can be resolved at the dialogue table.” Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convenor of Nagorik Oikya, added, “They say the programmes are meant to publicise their demands, not to apply pressure. The reasoning seems weak.” Mushtuq Husain of JaSaD noted, “It is unclear exactly whom the street actions target. Mobilising public opinion is acceptable, but traditional protest methods could complicate the situation.”
Abdullah Kafi Ratan, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, criticised the dual approach of consensus participation and street activism. “How ethically justifiable is it to engage in dialogue while staging public demonstrations? We have registered dissent within the Consensus Commission, but we are not taking to the streets. Their activism is unacceptable.”
A debate unfolds between BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed and Jamaat’s Shishir Monir during the recently held National Consensus Commission discussions on the referendum.
Political analysts caution that the protests, while framed around specific demands, carry broader implications. Iftekhar, a faculty member of the American Public University System, said the demonstrations may serve to delay elections and exert political pressure on the BNP.
“The current protests unite ideologically divergent Islamist groups. Jamaat, influenced by Maududi’s thought, is taking to the streets alongside Qawmi-stream Islami Andolon and Khelafat Majlis under a common agenda. Such coordination could shape electoral compromises.”
Analysts note that the insistence on PR in both chambers contrasts with the BNP-aligned Consensus Commission position of PR only in the upper house. Combined with calls to postpone elections until trials are held for arrested Awami League affiliates, these moves could place the BNP in a politically vulnerable position.
Kazi Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman, a parliamentary affairs analyst, said the protests signal the emergence of an ideological stream outside the BNP.
“Bangladesh politics has long revolved around two dominant streams: the Awami League and the BNP. Islamist parties are now positioning themselves as an independent political current, rooted in Islamic principles and Sharia advocacy, seeking to secure votes outside the BNP’s orbit. This is their strategic objective for the upcoming election.”
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As discussions on implementing the July Charter continued at the National Consensus Commission, six political parties — including Jamaat-e-Islami — have launched coordinated street protests to press home their five point-demand.
Their five-point agenda includes:
• Holding the national election in February based on the July Charter
• Implementing the PR system in both parliamentary chambers
• Ensuring a level playing field for a free, fair, and credible election
• Visible justice for all atrocities, massacres, and corruption under the “fascist government”
• Banning the activities of “allies of the autocracy”, namely the Jatiya Party and the 14-party coalition
With the exception of the PR system demand, none of these positions conflict publicly with BNP’s stance. Even calls to prosecute the so-called “allies of fascism” have not elicited opposition from the BNP.
Since mid-September, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Khilafat Andolan, and the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) have staged marches, rallies, and leaflet campaigns nationwide.
Their five-point agenda includes holding the national election in line with the July Charter, introducing PR in both chambers, ensuring a level playing field for a credible election, delivering justice for past atrocities and corruption, and banning the activities of “allies of autocracy,” particularly the Jatiya Party and the 14-party coalition.
Except for the PR demand, none of these positions publicly contradict the BNP’s stance. Even calls to prosecute the so-called “allies of fascism” have not drawn objections from the party. The National Consensus Commission concluded dialogue on Wednesday night, agreeing to hold a public referendum on the July Charter before the polls.
Despite this, the six parties have continued their street campaigns, with demonstrations across the capital, divisional towns, and districts since September 18, culminating in mass marches on October 10. Additional memoranda are planned to be submitted to district commissioners nationwide.
JAGPA Vice-President Rashed Prodhan told bdnews24.com, “We are mobilising public opinion in support of our programme. Our aim is to have the PR system included in the referendum. This campaign is not directed against any party or faction.” Jamaat-e-Islami Deputy Chief Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher explained, “Protests alongside dialogue are not new in Bangladesh. We are engaging in dialogue while continuing our street programmes simultaneously. The protests are productive and will gain momentum, with more campaigns planned.”
Among other parties, reactions are mixed. Salahuddin Ahmed, a BNP Standing Committee member, said, “I do not see the Islamist parties’ protests as an attempt to pressure the BNP. Demonstrating is their democratic right, but the BNP believes problems can be resolved at the dialogue table.” Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convenor of Nagorik Oikya, added, “They say the programmes are meant to publicise their demands, not to apply pressure. The reasoning seems weak.” Mushtuq Husain of JaSaD noted, “It is unclear exactly whom the street actions target. Mobilising public opinion is acceptable, but traditional protest methods could complicate the situation.”
Abdullah Kafi Ratan, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, criticised the dual approach of consensus participation and street activism. “How ethically justifiable is it to engage in dialogue while staging public demonstrations? We have registered dissent within the Consensus Commission, but we are not taking to the streets. Their activism is unacceptable.”
A debate unfolds between BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed and Jamaat’s Shishir Monir during the recently held National Consensus Commission discussions on the referendum.
Political analysts caution that the protests, while framed around specific demands, carry broader implications. Iftekhar, a faculty member of the American Public University System, said the demonstrations may serve to delay elections and exert political pressure on the BNP.
“The current protests unite ideologically divergent Islamist groups. Jamaat, influenced by Maududi’s thought, is taking to the streets alongside Qawmi-stream Islami Andolon and Khelafat Majlis under a common agenda. Such coordination could shape electoral compromises.”
Analysts note that the insistence on PR in both chambers contrasts with the BNP-aligned Consensus Commission position of PR only in the upper house. Combined with calls to postpone elections until trials are held for arrested Awami League affiliates, these moves could place the BNP in a politically vulnerable position.
Kazi Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman, a parliamentary affairs analyst, said the protests signal the emergence of an ideological stream outside the BNP.
“Bangladesh politics has long revolved around two dominant streams: the Awami League and the BNP. Islamist parties are now positioning themselves as an independent political current, rooted in Islamic principles and Sharia advocacy, seeking to secure votes outside the BNP’s orbit. This is their strategic objective for the upcoming election.”
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