Jamaat presses for PR voting system, mass killings trials in first Suhrawardy Udyan rally

The Jamaat-e-Islami is staging its first-ever rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, with thousands of activists from across Bangladesh gathering to press home a series of demands, including elections under a proportional representation (PR) system and justice for all mass killings.

The main segment of the “national rally”, organised under the banner of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, kicked off at 2pm with Quran recitation.

Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman presided over the rally, and was joined on stage by deputy chiefs, a position known as Nayeb-e-Ameer, Mujibur Rahman, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Assistant Secretary General ATM Masum, Publicity Secretary Matiur Rahman Akand, and Dhaka South chief Nurul Islam Bulbul.

Some leaders of the July Uprising also took the stage amid slogans and music.

Supporters started arriving from midnight via buses, pickups and trains from different districts. Jamaat hired four special trains from Mymensingh, Chattogram, Sirajganj and Rajshahi to transport participants.

Many who came from distant districts spent the night near the venue. By 10am Saturday, the area around Suhrawardy Udyan was packed with people.

From the morning, the Saimum Shilpigosthi musical group performed songs as attendees arrived in processions, chanting “Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar” and “Zindabad Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh”.

Waving party flags and carrying the scale symbol, many wore headbands bearing pro-Jamaat slogans.

Jamaat’s seven demands include trials for all mass killings, necessary structural reforms, implementation of the July Proclamation and Charter, rehabilitation of injured in the July Uprising and support for families of those killed, adoption of PR voting, ensuring voting rights for expatriates, and a level playing field ahead of the national election.

While Jamaat previously held rallies near Baitul Mukarram and Paltan, Saturday marked its first major assembly at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.