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the will of 70 percent of the people, honouring the blood of the martyrs, and fulfilling the aspirations of the July fighters.”

The Jamaat ameer also expressed anger over placing the managing director of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC on mandatory leave. “After what happened at Bangladesh Bank, a fresh takeover has now begun at the country’s largest bank, Islami Bank.”

He warned that Jamaat would not remain silent if such malpractices continue.

He said the struggle is not only for a change in political power but for a fundamental transformation of culture. “Wherever this malpractice exists -- be it in banking, the economy, industry, culture, education or the legal system -- we will resist it alongside the people.”

He added, “We do not want to turn our children into anyone’s subjects. Nor will we tolerate any family-based rule in Bangladesh in the name of fascism. This vicious cycle in politics must be broken.”

Speaking as a special guest, opposition chief whip in parliament and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Nahid Islam, said the issues they had been raising for the past 16 years and during the interim government over the last one and a half years are now forcing them back into discussions and movement again.

He alleged that BNP has dragged the nation into the current crisis and will have to bear responsibility for its consequences.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Oli Ahmad said the 11-party alliance must take to the streets step by step, adding that there is no alternative.

Political scientist Dilara Chowdhury criticised the home minister’s interpretation of the law, saying he avoids addressing the “spirit” of the constitution. “The constitution exists for the people. Laws alone cannot address everything. In many countries, people’s will is placed above written constitutions. By presenting half-truths, the minister is doing something even more dangerous than spreading outright falsehoods.”

Editor of the daily Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman, said those trying to weaken the referendum or raise legal debate around it are questionable in how much they truly uphold the July uprising.

Supreme Court senior lawyer and Jamaat central executive council member Mohammad Shishir Monir presented the keynote paper, warning that failure to implement the referendum verdict could push the country into a fresh constitutional and trust crisis.

Explaining the reform process, he said a constitutional reform assembly should be convened for 180 days based on the referendum results, followed by the formation of a bicameral parliament. The upper house would consist of 100 members allocated proportionally based on votes. “Failure to undertake this process will become a disgraceful chapter in history.”

The seminar was chaired by Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Mamunul Haque, who said there is no precedent in world history of ignoring a referendum verdict in such a manner. “Do not consign yourselves to the dustbin of history.”