11-Party Alliance Launches 410km Long March in Bangladesh Demanding Seven-Point Reforms
DHAKA, Oct. 31 — A coalition of 11 political parties began a 410-kilometre-long march from Dhaka to Khulna, Jhenaidah and Kushtia on Saturday, pressing the government to implement seven demands, including constitutional reform, control of commodity prices and justice for killings during the July uprising.
The procession set off from the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 8:20am, following an opening rally attended by senior leaders of the alliance.
Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the opposition in parliament and chief of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, addressed the gathering as the chief guest. The rally opened with remarks from Jamaat Assistant Secretary-General Dr HM Hamidur Rahman Azad, who said the march was organised to advance public demands.
Azad called for the immediate formation of a constitutional reform committee and warned that the government should step down if it failed to take the necessary steps. He also criticized rising prices of essential commodities, saying the cost increases were placing additional pressure on ordinary households.
Other speakers included LDP Chairman and former minister Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque, Jamaat Secretary-General Mia Golam Parwar and Nezame Islam Party chief Maulana Abdul Kayum Sobahani.
The alliance’s seven-point agenda call for constitutional reform through legal procedures in line with the referendum verdict; improvements in law and order; measures to curb the prices of essential goods; and solutions to shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer.
The coalition is also demanding an end to political interference in public administration and educational institutions, action against corruption, extortion and land grabbing, and the arrest and trial of those responsible for killings during the July mass uprising.
According to the organizers’ itinerary, the convoy will travel through Shariatpur, Madaripur, Bhanga in Faridpur, Gopalganj and Fakirhat in Bagerhat before crossing the Rupsha Bridge into Khulna. It will then proceed through Jashore and Jhenaidah before reaching the Shaheed Abrar Fahad Stadium in Kushtia for a closing rally.
Six roadside gatherings are scheduled along the route, including at NawdoÂba in Shariatpur’s Jajira, Katakhali intersection in Fakirhat, Babri Chattar and Swadhinata Chattar in Khulna, Murali intersection in Jashore and the Jhenaidah bus terminal.
The concluding rally in Kushtia is scheduled for 8:30pm, according to the published programme.
Parwar outlined the march’s preparations and route at a news conference on Friday. He said the initiative was intended to protest what the alliance described as government failures and unfulfilled commitments while building pressure for the implementation of its seven demands.
Acknowledging the possibility of temporary disruption to highway traffic and commercial activities, Parwar apologized to commuters and businesses. He said organizers would try to keep the procession to one side of the highway to minimize inconvenience.
