September 19, 2025
DHAKA – Leaders of seven parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, staged protests today demanding a national election in February based on the July Charter.
They warned that the country could face a “major disaster” if the charter is not given a legal basis before the next polls.
Some leaders claimed, that the interim government, which took over after the mass uprising, has sometimes failed to ensure a level playing field and has bowed to external pressure or influence.
From noon to evening, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlish, Nezam-e-Islami Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) held brief rallies and demonstrations in and around Baitul Mukarram and the National Press Club. While some parties announced five-point programmes, others outlined six or seven points; their core demands were identical.
Around 5:00pm, Jamaat-e-Islami held a procession following a rally in front of the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, along with other central and Dhaka city leaders, spoke at the rally, organised by the party’s Dhaka north and south city units.
Golam Porwar said, “Jamaat-e-Islami wants Bangladesh to move towards an acceptable election. But unfortunately, we see that a certain quarter is exerting political influence or, sadly, bowing to some power, and the government along with the decision-making authority is sometimes failing to ensure a level playing field.
“We have demanded that the upcoming election be held on the legal basis of the July Charter. But one party is creating obstacles, saying such constitutional reforms are unnecessary. This is going against people’s aspirations.”
He added, “The reform issues must be incorporated into the July Charter, given legal basis through a constitutional order, and endorsed by a referendum before the election. Otherwise, the country may plunge into a major disaster.”
Golam Porwar further warned, “If another election is held under the existing state structure, it will give birth to another fascism. It will give birth to another Hasina.”
The Jamaat leader alleged that discussions with the government were yielding no results. “It seems the government, under some pressure, is heading towards a fruitless exercise,” he said.
Around the same time, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis held a rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram. Its Secretary General Jalal Uddin Ahmed said, “If the July Charter is not implemented, a national disaster will be inevitable. No electoral process without it will bring any good to the country or the nation.”
He added, “A conspiracy is underway to thwart the aspirations of the July Revolution, achieved at the cost of the blood of thousands of students and people. Those who want to push back the implementation of the July Charter to the next parliament are seeking political advantage.”
After Zohr prayers at the same venue, Islami Andolon Bangladesh’s Senior Nayeb-e-Amir Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim said, “I believe India does not want the July Charter to be given legal basis.”
Addressing the interim government, he asked, “Are you reflecting the hopes and expectations of India? The interim government was not formed only to hold elections. It was formed for reforms, justice and then elections. How can you hold an election without reforms and visible justice?”
Meanwhile, traffic was severely disrupted around the National Press Club as two more Islamist parties staged rallies there. Severe gridlock was reported across the area, including the GPO intersection.
Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islami Party held a rally between 3:00pm and 4:00pm in front of the Press Club, while Jatiya Ganatantrik Party held another around 4:30pm at the Bijayanagar water tank area.