Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Friday urged the government to convene a session of the proposed Constitution Reform Council in Parliament instead of pushing the country towards “political confrontation.”
"If BNP wants to avoid driving the country towards conflict, it should convene the Constitution Reform Council session in Parliament, take the oath and implement the constitutional reforms in line with the July Charter by accepting the verdict of the referendum that provided its legal basis," he said.
"If that is not done, we will have no option but to take to the streets," Porwar warned while responding to questions from journalists after attending a party members' (Rukon) conference at the Narsingdi Shishu Academy auditorium.
Referring to the implementation of the July Charter, he said the current political crisis could be resolved through constitutional reforms based on the outcome of the referendum.
Responding to a question about the possible return of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces death sentence in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 uprising, the Jamaat leader said the matter rests with the court and the government. "It is a legal issue and the government's responsibility. The government has banned the activities of her party, and it will decide the matter," he said.
He alleged that the former Awami League government committed widespread atrocities during the July-August movement, including killings and other acts of violence, and said those responsible must face justice.
"The wounds inflicted during that period have not yet healed. Those who committed these crimes must be tried and punished," Porwar said.
He claimed the previous government had ignored constitutional principles and democratic norms and said the people had forced what he termed an "autocratic regime" to leave the country.
On the political right of the Awami League, the Jamaat secretary general said it should be determined by the people rather than by any single political party.
"The July mass uprising showed that the people of this country no longer accept fascist politics. The referendum has also reflected that position," he claimed.
Porwar also criticised India for providing shelter to Sheikh Hasina, alleging that she continues to fuel unrest in Bangladesh from New Delhi.
He further alleged that India had violated international law, prisoner extradition agreements and the Geneva Conventions by allowing "a death-row convict" to stay comfortably in New Delhi with access to all forms of modern communication and technological facilities. "This cannot be regarded as a normal situation under any circumstances," he said, without providing evidence to support the claim.
The conference was presided over by Md Ibrahim Bhuiyan, organiser of Narsingdi district Jamaat.
Earlier in the day, the party also organised a workshop for its district-level members.
