Referendum, JS election on same day may lead to ‘genocide': Jamaat Ameer

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has warned that holding a referendum on the day of the national election could lead to 'genocide'.

He made the remark while speaking at the Parade Ground in Chattogram on Saturday afternoon, report agencies.

"We do not see it positively. We have said it before that a referendum on election day can lead to genocide during the polls," he said.

Besies, he said the upcoming national election is expected to create a new history in Bangladesh.

However, hecautioned that any efforts to tamper with the polls would face a 'resolute response'.

"Any attempt to manipulate votes or occupy polling centres, as seen in previous elections, will face a resolute response," he told the Mushlihin National Representative Conference' at the Nesarabad Madrasa ground in Jhalakathi district.

The Jamaat chief said his party would not be intimidated by any threat or show of force and added that it would continue the struggle against all forms of oppression, fascism, and divisive politics.

He called upon all Islamic-minded groups to stand together in defense of faith and justice.

Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, who attended the event as a special guest, said if Islamic political parties could unite and jointly protect ballot boxes in the next election, "a new chapter in national history can truly be written".

The rally was joined as well by Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad, National Citizen Party (NCP) General Secretary Akhtar Hossain, AB Party General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, and BNP's Central Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal.