Jamaat will quit JS if denied right to speak: Shafiqur

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday warned that his party would not remain in parliament if it is not allowed to speak in the national interest, report agencies.

He also called on supporters to prepare for what he described as a new 'revolution.'

"As long as there is an environment to speak in parliament and it is necessary to speak in the nation's interest, we will remain there. But the day we feel that speaking in parliament no longer serves any purpose, we will leave," he said.

Shafiqur Rahman was speaking at a rally organised by the Jamaat-led 11-Party Alliance in the capital's Bijoynagar area on Tuesday, demanding justice for alleged enforced disappearances, killings and mass killings committed during the Awami League regime.

The rally, which began around 5:30pm, coincided with the founding anniversary of Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities.

Addressing the gathering, Shafiqur Rahman alleged that more than 600 people have been killed since the BNP government assumed office, including over 200 BNP activists.

"If a party has no responsibility towards its own workers, then how can it take responsibility for 20 crore people? We see no sign of such responsibility. It is shameful," he said.

The Jamaat Ameer accused the government of moving towards 'another one-party fascist rule' through partisan appointments in universities, colleges, administrative bodies, and other sectors. He warned that his party would launch another 'revolution' if necessary to ensure justice.

He also demanded justice over unresolved incidents, including the October 28, 2006 violence, the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, enforced disappearances, political killings, and the July-August uprising.

'National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka South unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud, Dhaka North unit Ameer Md Selim Uddin, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran and other central leaders of the 11-party alliance spoke at the rally with Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and Coordinator of the 11-party alliance Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad in the chair.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday expressed deep regret over the 'unfortunate and undesirable' incident involving the attack on journalists during a political programme in the capital's Dhanmondi-32 area.

In a statement issued on behalf of the party, Jamaat Central Publicity and Media Department Secretary Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said the party is sincerely saddened by the incident.

"An unfortunate, undesirable and regrettable incident involving journalists occurred during a peaceful political programme at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka. We express our sincere regret over the incident," he said.