As part of a nationwide programme, Jamaat-e-Islami staged a large human chain in Dinajpur to press for its five-point demand. The one-hour demonstration took place on Wednesday from 12pm to 1pm.
Stretching from Dinajpur Government College intersection to the main gate of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office — covering nearly 3.5 kilometres — the human chain saw the participation of more than 5,000 activists. Leaders and members of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir from 13 upazilas joined the programme, occupying 10 separate spots along the road.
At the press club point, speeches were delivered by Jamaat Ameer Principal Anisur Rahman and Advocate Mainul Islam, Jamaat’s nominated candidate for Dinajpur Sadar constituency. At the Dinajpur Institute point, central Majlish-e-Shura member and former district Ameer Anwarul Islam — also Jamaat’s candidate for Dinajpur-6 — addressed the gathering. District Secretary Dr Enamul Haque spoke at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office point.
Other speakers at various spots included Professor A S M Ibrahim, Birganj Upazila Ameer Qari Azizur Rahman, city Ameer Sirajus Salehin, District Literary and Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Toyeb Ali, and former city Naib-e-Ameer Md Towaab Ali Molla.
Speakers called for the immediate implementation of the Proportional Representation (PR) system and the issuance of a July National Certificate Order before the national election scheduled for February. They urged the government to accept Jamaat’s five demands without delay.
The demands include: 1) Issuing the July National Certificate Order and holding a referendum before the upcoming election; 2) Introducing the PR system in both houses; 3) Ensuring a level playing field for free and fair elections; 4) Bringing to justice the alleged repression, killings and corruption of the current regime; and 5) Banning the activities of the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, whom they termed as allies of autocracy.
