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“Those who sincerely seek reform will find us by their side. Today, the youth have united against both old and new forms of fascism. Already, students from five public universities have made their stance clear,” he said while addressing a rally at the Satkhira Government High School ground in the afternoon.

The Jamaat chief said two votes would be held on February 12 -- one in favour of reform through a “yes” ballot and the other for a new Bangladesh.

He told the rally that a “yes” vote meant freedom, while a “no” vote meant slavery.

“Entering the booth, voters must first firmly cast ‘yes’. If ‘yes’ wins, Bangladesh wins. Fascism will not return, and the corrupt and extortionists will be buried. But if ‘yes’ loses, Bangladesh loses. The second vote, for the ‘Daripalla’ symbol, is the vote for justice.”

Addressing the youth at the Khulna rally, the Jamaat ameer commended them for their struggles and sacrifices, saying Jamaat did not want to humiliate young people by offering unemployment allowances. “We want to turn your hands into the hands of skilled workers. Then you yourselves will say that you do not want to sit idle and take unemployment benefits.”

Referring to events after August 5, he said Jamaat had assured the nation that regardless of the oppression inflicted upon them, they would remain peaceful and patient. “We promised to act as guardians of people’s lives, property and dignity. We have kept that promise. We will not seize anyone’s property, and we will not engage in extortion.”

Addressing party activists, he said, “Each of you must protect the voting rights of every man and woman. Voters will cast their votes wherever they choose, but we want to ensure that they reach the ballot box safely.”

Shafiqur said Bangladesh did not belong to Muslims alone, although Muslims were the majority. “This country is a garden of flowers where people of other communities live together. No one will be able to look at them with ill intent, and no hand will be raised against them.”

[Our correspondents from Khulna, Bagerhat, and Benapole contributed to the report.]