GM Quader: Reforms Won’t Be Sustainable Without Opinions of All Parties

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has said that reforms will not be sustainable without the opinions of all parties.

Elections will also not be acceptable without major political parties, including Jatiya Party.

He made this statement on Wednesday, during a brief discussion meeting in front of the party's central office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on the occasion of the party’s founding anniversary.

The party originally planned to hold the meeting at the IDEB Auditorium in the capital, but due to a lack of permission from the administration, the event was held in front of the central office.

GM Quader said: "We are a registered political party, and conducting peaceful programs is our legal right. However, we are being denied that right. Permission for assemblies is being withheld under the pretext of security. If there are threats, it is the state's responsibility to ensure security, but the state is failing to do so. Although equality is being spoken of, political divisions are being created under the guise of fascist forces. Arbitrary torture, harassment through false cases, and attacks on homes, businesses, and establishments are occurring. Killings are being turned into mockery under the guise of justice."

He further said: "We see this as fascism; a new form of fascism has taken hold again. Among 48 parties, 30 are being excluded from the election process."

The Jatiya Party chairman said: "No government in our country wants to relinquish power, one of the reasons being that they face persecution after leaving power. This is what happened with Ershad. After a peaceful transfer of power, he was sent to jail."

He also remarked: "No one is safe. Who, when, and how someone will become an ally of fascism cannot be predicted. With the way the country has been divided, neither fair elections nor reforms can be achieved."

At the gathering, the party’s Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said: "We believe in peace. We applied to the DMP for permission to hold a meeting, received verbal consent, and wanted to hold the event following regulations. Later, the permission was canceled. We still don’t know why we were not allowed to hold the meeting."

He further said: "One thousand students and citizens gave their lives for democracy. The current government is a result of that sacrifice, but why were we not allowed to hold this program?"

Co-Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader said: "If Bangladesh had not been independent, this flag would not exist. We fought for independence through the Liberation War. Everyone's contributions must be recognized, and we must learn from the past."

He continued: "We have faced discrimination for 32 years. Whichever party came to power tried to suppress us and persecuted us. Cases against Awami League and BNP leaders were withdrawn, but Jatiya Party’s cases remain. Jatiya Party has never bowed its head and will participate in elections regardless of the situation."