Shafiqur Rahman Warns Government to Honour Referendum Verdict or "Face Consequences"

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman on Friday warned that the BNP-led government could face growing public backlash if it failed to implement what he called the "people's verdict" delivered through the referendum process.

Addressing a divisional rally organised by the 11-party alliance at Chattogram's historic Laldighi Maidan, Shafiqur urged the government to respect public opinion and respond to the concerns of ordinary citizens.
 

"Time is very limited and it's running out. If there is no change within this period, they must be prepared to face the consequences," he told thousands of supporters gathered at the rally.

Calling on the government to honour the outcome of the referendum, Shafiqur said pressing national issues, including rising commodity prices and increasing public hardship, required immediate attention.

"If the government does not voluntarily accept the referendum verdict and public demands, it will eventually be compelled to do so, just as it was forced to pass the caretaker government bill in 1996," he said. "Accept it peacefully. Do not push people onto the streets."

The Jamaat chief also rejected what he described as threats of imprisonment and harsh measures against opposition activists, saying party members remained prepared to make sacrifices for the country's interests.
 

"Remember, neither prison bars nor those holding the keys are permanent. Times change," he said.

During his speech, Shafiqur criticised the concentration of authority within the administration, alleging that decision-making had become increasingly centralised.
 

Referring to recent remarks made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during district visits, he claimed that key functions of government were being managed by a limited group of individuals.

He further accused the prime minister of providing inaccurate information during a recent visit to Cox's Bazar, particularly regarding opposition reactions to proposed tax measures involving narcotics and intoxicants in the national budget.
 

"The office of the prime minister is a state institution. It is embarrassing and harmful for the nation when inaccurate and false information repeatedly comes from that position," he said.
 

Shafiqur also alleged that opposition lawmakers were not receiving sufficient opportunities to express their views in parliament.
 

"We have moved to the people's parliament, the streets, to raise public concerns," he said.
 

He further claimed that extortion and corruption had increased despite public expectations that an elected government would curb such practices.

"Corruption has now been nationalised," he alleged.
 

The rally also featured sharp criticism of the proposed national budget from other opposition figures.

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam argued that the budget lacked effective measures to combat corruption, financial irregularities, and misconduct within the banking sector.

"The prime minister may be upset by our criticism of the budget, but why should we praise it?" Nahid said. "There is no mechanism in this budget to stop corruption, looting and the takeover of banks."

He questioned how much of the proposed expenditure would directly benefit citizens, alleging that a significant portion could be misused.

"Without ensuring good governance, transparency and reforms, corruption and looting cannot be stopped," he added.
 

Nahid also alleged attempts were underway to return Islami Bank to the control of the S Alam Group and criticised the lack of institutional reforms.

Referring to the reported assault of national cricketer Nayeem Hasan by members of the Detective Branch of police, he argued that reforms within the police, judiciary, and Anti-Corruption Commission remained unfinished.
 

"Even yesterday, a cricketer in Chattogram was picked up and tortured by DB police. Since police reforms have not taken place, oppression against ordinary people has resumed," he claimed.

He warned that if the government reverted to authoritarian practices, public resistance could intensify.

"If the government chooses the path of authoritarianism again, the people, too, will be forced to pursue the path of mass uprising," he said.

Nahid also condemned the reported killing of a Bangladeshi national along the Moulvibazar border, stating that stronger bilateral ties could not be built through violence.

"We want to state clearly that friendship cannot be built with barbed wire and bullets," he said.

Presiding over the programme, Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmad raised concerns about public safety and law and order.

"Mothers, sisters and daughters do not feel safe leaving their homes or attending schools and colleges. The government must act firmly to protect people from criminals," he said.
 

Several leaders from alliance partners also addressed the gathering, including Chattogram-15 MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Muhammad Shahjahan, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, National Democratic Party spokesperson Rashed Prodhan, Amar Bangladesh Party General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman AKM Anwarul Islam, and alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad.

The rally reflected growing political tensions ahead of an increasingly challenging period for the government, as opposition parties seek to capitalise on public dissatisfaction over economic pressures, governance concerns, and institutional reforms.