Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Tuesday said the country's biggest political crisis stems from the failure to implement the referendum verdict, warning that politics could slide toward confrontation if the outcome is not honored.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a human chain organized by an 11-party alliance in front of the National Parliament's NAM Bhaban on Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka.
The program brought together families of the July martyrs, those injured during the July uprising, people with disabilities, and July movement activists, demanding an immediate session of the Constitution Reform Council, implementation of the referendum verdict, and the trial of all those responsible for the killings during the July uprising.
Parwar said they had urged the speaker to take the necessary legal steps to implement the decision endorsed by nearly 70% of voters, with the prime minister and the opposition leader playing their constitutional roles in carrying out the verdict.
"We have requested the speaker to take the necessary legal measures to implement the people's verdict. The speaker has assured us that he will discuss the matter with the prime minister," he said.
Presiding over the event, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said they hoped the government would give due consideration to their memorandum.
"Parliament cannot function by ignoring the expectations of the people. It will not be possible to remain in power by disregarding public opinion," he said.
Azad warned that another July uprising could take place if necessary to ensure implementation of the referendum verdict.
He also said those responsible for the mass killings must be brought to justice, warning that people would compel the government to act if it failed to ensure accountability.
"We do not want confrontation; we want a solution," he said, alleging that the government came to power "standing on the blood of the July martyrs."
The human chain was attended by Jamaat Central Executive Council member Mobarak Hossain, Nurul Islam Bulbul, MP, Md Selim Uddin, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, MP, among others.
Family members of the July victims also spoke at the program.
Before the event, five women MPs, including Rokeya, the mother of July martyr Jabir Ibrahim, along with leaders of the 11-party alliance, submitted a memorandum to the speaker.