Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said the government has lost its moral legitimacy to remain in power after admitting its own failures.
He made the remarks while speaking at the triennial conference of theBangladesh Paribahan Sramik Federation at the Jatiya Press in the capital on Friday.
Referring to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's statement that there had been no visible progress over the past five months and that only the prime minister had spoken about rebuilding the country and society, he questioned why corruption continues if the prime minister is genuinely against it.
He asked, "If everything operates according to Prime Minister's directions, why does corruption not stop under his direction as well?'
The Jamaat ameer urged the government to take firm action against corruption and eradicate extortion, saying that the country's 180 million people would support such initiatives.
He warned that neither the people nor his party would remain silent if the government took steps that went against public expectations.
"Bangladesh would be liberated, but achieving that goal may require greater sacrifices, and everyone must be prepared for them," said Dr Shafiqur Rahman.
He said workers had made the greatest sacrifices during the mass uprising.
Citing United Nations figures, he said 1,400 people were martyred, with workers representing the largest share by profession, followed by students and then members of the general public.
He added that workers had repeatedly sacrificed their lives in the struggle against injustice and had done so once again in 2024.
The Jamaat ameer also called for the July martyrs and fighters to be given the respect they deserve.
He further said if 70 per cent of people delivered a verdict through a referendum, any government that claimed to uphold democracy must accept it.
He said rejecting the people's verdict would amount to disrespecting the will of the people.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com