Leaders of the Greater Sunni Alliance warned that Bangladesh could face a devastating national crisis if the upcoming national election is sabotaged by vested quarters. A massive public rally was organized by the Chattogram district unit of the Greater Sunni Alliance on Saturday afternoon, 15 November, at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram, presenting 13-point demands.
The leaders called for ensuring that the national election announced for February is held on time, granting equal opportunities for all registered political parties to participate in state dialogues and the July Charter, disqualifying corrupt individuals, black money holders and convicted criminals from contesting elections, bringing to justice those involved in attacks on shrines, mosques and khanqahs, ensuring justice for all killings committed during and after the July movement, and putting an end to mob violence.
They stressed that the country urgently needs greater national unity in the public interest. However, instead of unity, division and polarization are deepening, creating fear and anxiety among the people. The speakers warned that if the current political crisis is not resolved peacefully, or if the February election is derailed through conspiracies, the people will once again pay a heavy price and the country could face a catastrophic situation.
The leaders expressed anger and disappointment that the opinions and signatures of all registered political parties were not taken in government dialogues and the July National Charter. They urged the government to remain neutral and not show bias toward any particular party.
At the rally, strong demands were made for the immediate reinstatement of workers who were illegally dismissed from various banks, including Islamic Bank.
Addressing the rally, senior leader of the Greater Sunni Alliance and Chairman of Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP), Pir-e-Tariqat Maulana Syed Saifuddin Ahmed Al-Hasani, said that people of Bangladesh are no longer safe in their homes or outside. Over the last 15 months, mob violence has led to the beating to death of innocent people, humiliation of teachers in educational institutions, attacks on shrines, arson and looting. He also mentioned attacks on mosques, forced removal of imams and khatibs, exhumation and burning of dead bodies, and arson at graveyards, describing these acts as inhuman.
He stated that although the government and the army declared “zero tolerance” for mob violence, practical indifference is clearly visible. He emphasized that the Sunni student community is not against anyone and that the Sufi-oriented majority believes in peaceful coexistence. However, he warned that if provoked, they will not remain silent.
Maulana M. A. Matin, Central Chairman of Bangladesh Islami Front, stated that the dream of Bangladesh after the popular uprising of 2024 remains unfulfilled. Corruption, criminality, killings and terrorism have increased instead of declining. He criticized the partisan behavior of certain government advisers, calling it a major obstacle to a free and fair election.
Maulana Syed Bahadur Shah Mujaddedi, Central Chairman of Islamic Front Bangladesh, said that millions of young people are unemployed and poverty is rising daily. He noted that hundreds of mills and factories have shut down in the last year, leaving millions jobless, while the government remains indifferent. He added that even the dead are no longer safe, describing the exhumation and burning of bodies as horrifying acts, saying that a “new age of ignorance” seems to have returned.
The rally was presided over by S. M. Shahabuddin, President of BSP Chattogram District. The event was convened by Maulana Abdun Nabi Al-Qaderi, President of Bangladesh Islami Front, Chattogram Metropolitan North, and conducted by Muhammad Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan, Secretary of BSP Chattogram District, and Moin Uddin Chowdhury Halim, Vice President of Islamic Front Chattogram City.
Among other speakers was Principal Maulana Zainal Abedin Jubair, Central Secretary General of Islamic Front Bangladesh, who said that no significant change has taken place in the country over the past 15 months. He criticized the growth of bribery in arrests, lawsuits and bail, and called for maintaining unity and responsible political conduct.
Maulana S. U. M. Abdus Samad, Central Secretary General of Bangladesh Islami Front, warned that anti-national forces could exploit the political instability. He expressed concern that if the February election is derailed, the country’s independence and sovereignty would be at risk. He demanded a halt to harassment, false cases and conspiracies against Sunni scholars and organizers across the country.
Advocate Kazi Mohsin Chowdhury, Co-Chairman of BSP, said that industrial production has been disrupted, import-export activities have nearly stagnated, and despite growing dependence on loans, foreign investment is not coming. He also stated that public trust in the government is decreasing due to economic pressure and the deterioration of law and order.
The rally also included welcome speeches and contributions from numerous national and local leaders.
Key Demands of the 13-Point Charter:
The rally further demanded:
– Recovery of all illegal weapons before the election
– Action against foreign-backed armed terrorists in the hill districts
– Cancellation of the decision to hand over Chattogram port terminals to foreign entities
– No corridor for the Arakan Army
– Prosecution of attackers of shrines and mosques and ensuring security of religious institutions and leaders
– Protection of the dignity of freedom fighters and preservation of the history of independence
– Ensuring media freedom and safety of journalists
– Establishment of a neutral administrative system during the election period