Thousands gathered at Suhrawardy Udyan as Islamic Movement Bangladesh staged a mass rally calling for reforms to the electoral process and national accountability.
Party leaders laid out a 16-point list of demands, including the adoption of proportional representation in elections, recognition of a proposed “July Charter,” and justice for past political violence linked to July events. They warned that any future election without a shift in the voting system would lack legitimacy.
“We have no choice but to stand firm on these reforms,” said Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim, Deputy Amir of the party, speaking to supporters from a rain-soaked stage. “We want a parliament where the words of the Kalema are heard, where Quran and Sunnah are respected, and where all citizens can live in peace.”
A coalition of Islamic parties has drawn a clear line in the sand: without proportional representation, they will not accept the next election. Gathering for a massive rally, groups from Jamaat-e-Islami to the NCP unleashed a unified assault on what they called a corrupt and authoritarian government.
They argue the entire system is rigged against them, with the interim government acting as just another tool of the establishment. As one speaker declared, this isn’t a negotiation—”This is not optional.”
“This constitution has enabled dictatorship,” the Islamic Movement’s top leader stated. “We must correct the system to ensure that every vote counts. That means PR in both chambers of parliament.”
As the rally ended, organizers said they hoped this public show of unity would strengthen ties between Islamic parties and consolidate votes in future polls. Party members left the grounds calling for continued mobilization.
Whether the government will respond remains unclear. But with the national election looming, the call for proportional representation is gaining visibility. And for many at Suhrawardy Udyan, it felt like a moment that could shift the conversation.
