Inqilab Mancha demands national govt comprising ‘anti-fascism’ forces

The Inqilab Mancha has called for the formation of a national government comprising all “anti-fascism” forces in the country.

Speaking at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen on Saturday, the group's Convenor Sharif Osman Bin Hadi said they sought representation from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Andolan in the government.

“The time to form a national government is not yet over, [we still have] another year. If the BNP, Jamaat or anyone else fails to cooperate, they will have to be held accountable to the nation,” he said.

“We want justice, fundamental reforms and national elections through a national government over the next year. If a national government can’t be formed, then assemble a National Unity Council headed by Dr [Muhammad] Yunus.

He continued, “It will include representatives from every political party, who will not be ministers or advisors but will work as watchdogs. They will be able to speak on every issue.

“If this does not come to fruition, or Yunus leaves without making fundamental reforms or proceeds with the election, a civil war will be imminent in the country. If that happens, the political parties and the Bangladesh Army would be primarily responsible.”

Hadi alleged that the National Citizen Party (NCP) hijacked the July movement.

He said, “The NCP made three mistakes. It hijacked the July [Uprising], many of them have become corrupt, and the NCP has basically destroyed the unity [of the movement].

“If there is no July Proclamation, the families of the July martyrs or those who took part in the movement will be pummeled by India and the Awami League. The July Proclamation will enforce the decision to ban the Awami League.

“The ban has subjected those in this government in support of the Awami League to a moral defeat. The July Charter will hand them their ultimate defeat.”

Underlining that the government and the Army are in a deadlock at the moment, he said: “The statement made by the Army chief is clearly a political statement. Many officers of the Bangladesh Army are beneficiaries of the Awami League.”

Addressing the army chief, the spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha said, “You, the current Army chief, cannot make a political statement like this. Perhaps the Army has taken an institutional decision about any party needing to tell them before taking charge.”