Opposition will take to street if referendum verdict is ignored: Shafiqur

FE Team | Published: June 16, 2026 23:59:46

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday warned that they would take to the streets with the demand for implementation of people's verdict given in the referendum if it is ignored in parliament, report agencies.
"It will be resolved either in parliament or on the streets. We will not leave this public demand, nor do we have the right to do so," he said while exchanging views with journalists the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday.
Dr. Shafiqur said they are committed to fulfilling the aspirations expressed by people and cannot betray that commitment. "We are confident this demand, Inshallah, will be materialised either today or tomorrow," he added.
The opposition leader rejected a government proposal seeking opposition nominations for a special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendment.
He said his party would only consider participating in a committee formed for constitutional reform, not for routine amendments to the constitution.
Referring to the referendum results, he noted that 70 per cent of voters supported constitutional reform. "We stand with people and the verdict of the people. Therefore, we have said if a committee is formed for reform and not for amendment, we will consider joining it."
Dr Shafiqur said constitutional amendment is a routine parliamentary process that does not require a special committee.
When a constitutional amendment comes as a bill in parliament, the opposition will participate in discussions over the bill, he said.
"If they come up with a proposal for reform, then we will consider it," he added.
In reply to another question, he said the people sent them to Parliament to raise voice for them. If any logical issue is not considered or ruled out and we can't get scope, then we will walk out (from the house) but not for a long term.