Attempts are underway to create unrest in various parts of Bangladesh with the direct support of a neighbouring country, Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said.
He made the remarks while addressing a meeting of opposition parliament members at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday.
The Jamaat chief alleged that efforts were also being made to destroy the country’s main export sector—the ready-made garment industry. The afternoon meeting was held in the opposition deputy leader’s room in the parliament building.
Participants discussed the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Japan and the Matarbari agreement, including the need to make the overall status of the Matarbari project public.
Shafiqur Rahman said uncertainty had been created among the people about developments at the project and that there were reports of a conspiracy to give another country a corridor under the cover of the Japan deal.
The Jamaat Amir accused the government of completely failing to tackle the law-and-order situation. He said the opposition would remain active both in parliament and on the streets to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty and democracy.
Opposition Chief Whip and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Md. Nahid Islam, said the government had failed to stop the activities of what he called fascist terrorists. He claimed these groups were exploiting the government’s weakness to create anarchy across the country through secret attacks and called on all forces to stay united against them.
Opposition MPs also discussed the country’s current situation, renewal of the Ganges water-sharing agreement, deterioration of law and order, irregularities in fertiliser dealer appointments, the constitution amendment committee, and what they described as the government’s negligence in the trial of the July mass killings.
The comments come amid broader political tensions over ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s reported plans to return from exile in India.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for unity and urged his party and the public to take to the streets to confront conspiracies and prevent the return of anti-democratic forces.
In a BNP parliamentary party meeting he stressed that the message was clear: the party is on the streets and must remain there to counter all plots.
Separately, the fourth session of the 13th National Parliament opened on Monday with the adoption of a condolence motion.
Lawmakers observed a minute of silence, followed by a special munajat (prayer) led by the State Minister for Religious Affairs to stop y efforts to bring back Sheikh Hasina.
Ministers have also rejected any possibility of issuing a new passport or National Identity Card (NID) to Sheikh Hasina. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir called her request absurd and “drama,” describing her as a fugitive terrorist and death-row convict. He said Bangladesh would not issue travel documents to such individuals and would instead seek her extradition from India under the existing bilateral treaty so she can face justice.