Dhaka: Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday asserted that refusing to take the oath as a member of the State Reform Council is equivalent to dishonoring 'July 2024'. He emphasized the pivotal role of July in facilitating the election, which led to Mr. Tarique Rahman becoming the Prime Minister and himself ascending to the position of Opposition Leader.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman made these remarks during a street cleaning program in the capital's Monipur area, which commenced around 6 am. In a bid to promote cleanliness, he personally engaged in sweeping the streets and collecting waste, dedicating approximately 15 to 20 minutes to the initiative.
Addressing inquiries from journalists, he stressed the importance of recognizing and honoring July, urging parliament to implement reform proposals that reflect the aspirations associated with the month. He assured that the opposition would fully cooperate with the government if it took the initiative, but also vowed to advocate for the people if necessary.
Dr. Rahman highlighted that they had taken dual oaths the previous day as members of parliament and the State Reform Council, with the intention of contributing positively to the nation. He remarked on the dual aim of the program: to clean the streets and to cleanse the public's mindset through reforms and humanistic corrections.
He conveyed a message to Mirpur's residents and the nation about creating a clean society and environment, recognizing the positive impact of cleanliness on mindset and social responsibility. He encouraged party units to regularly engage in such initiatives, suggesting they dedicate at least half an hour daily after Fajr prayers to cleanliness drives, potentially expanding to other social service activities with family involvement.
Dr. Rahman expressed his vision for Mirpur to become a model area, stating they would not rely solely on government funds for these initiatives, while emphasizing the area's right to its legitimate entitlements. The program was attended by key figures from Jamaat's Central Executive Council, including Dhaka North Ameer Md Selim Uddin, Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdur Rahman Musa, Assistant Secretary Dr Fakhruddin Manik, and Barrister Saif Uddin Khaled, alongside numerous leaders and activists.