Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has warned that the eight-point demands of the 11-party alliance could turn into a single-point movement if the government fails to accept the people’s demands.

“Today is our second long march. Many have already lost their temper. Do not lose your temper; accept the people’s demands,” he said.

Shafiqur made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural rally of the 11-party alliance’s Dhaka-Rangpur long march at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital at 7am on Saturday.

The alliance is demanding implementation of the referendum verdict, trial of those responsible for the July mass killings, an end to shortages of electricity, oil, gas and fertiliser, control of rising prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and land grabbing, improvement of the law and order situation, an end to narrow partisanisation and implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.

“If the demands are not accepted, our eight points may turn into one. Then no conspiracy will work. We promise that we will return home after securing the people’s demands, InshaAllah,” Shafiqur said.

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam MP said the government’s responsibility was to protect human rights, but alleged that it was violating them.

He also alleged that the BNP government had undermined democracy and violated human rights after coming to power.

“The Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, has to decide how he will leave power — whether he will leave by helicopter like Hasina or step down with dignity,” Nahid said.

He added that tearing down banners and festoons would not stop the long march and said they would return home after peacefully completing the programme.

Liberal Democratic Party President and former minister Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed said extortion and terrorism would end in the country and alleged that BNP activists were suffering as a result.

“Is this government a BNP government or Hasina’s government?” he asked, adding that the long march was being held to put the country on the right track.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque called on the government to implement the referendum verdict, warning that failure to do so would lead to it being remembered in history as an act of betrayal.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the long march was being held to inform millions of people about what he described as the government’s “deception and betrayal” over the non-implementation of the July Charter and referendum verdict.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Central President Nurul Islam alleged that the BNP government had become disconnected from the people within seven months of taking office and had betrayed the July Charter. He also alleged that the government was creating instability on campuses.

The rally was moderated by Jamaat’s Dhaka South city secretary Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud and Dhaka North city secretary Dr Rezaul Karim. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General, former MP and 11-party alliance coordinator Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad delivered the inaugural address.

Others who spoke at the rally included Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party Ameer Maulana Abdul Qayyum Subhani, AB Party President Mujibur Rahman Monju, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party Vice-President Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Advocate Anwarul Islam Chan, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Secretary General Mufti Fakhrul Islam, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Jamaat’s Dhaka South city Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul MP and DUCSU Vice-President and Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral candidate Sadik Kayem.

After the inaugural rally, attended by thousands of people, the long-march convoy set off for Rangpur at around 8am.

Thousands of men, women and people from different professions stood on both sides of the roads to greet the convoy, according to the organisers.

The convoy is scheduled to hold roadside rallies at Bhogra Bypass Road in Gazipur, Nagar Jalfai Bypass Road in Tangail, HatiKumrul intersection in Sirajganj, Matidali Airport intersection in Bogura and Palashbari in Gaibandha before reaching Rangpur.

The concluding rally of the long march will be held at Rangpur Zilla School ground. Informal roadside rallies will also be held at different gathering points along the route, while local leaders and activists of the 11 parties will greet the convoy from both sides of the road.