Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and parliamentary opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman alleged that Bangladesh is again moving toward fascism. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a rally organized by the 11-party alliance at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital. The gathering called for implementation of the referendum verdict and trials for those involved in the July killings.

Rahman paid tribute to people killed, injured, disabled, imprisoned, forced to face cases or leave the country during movements for democracy and rights from October 28, 2006 to August 2024. He said the July 2024 movement was not led by any conventional political party, describing the public and young people as its driving force. He urged participants not to seek partisan credit for July martyrs, whom he called assets of the nation.

He demanded medical care for people injured during the July movement, dignified rehabilitation for martyrs' families and punishment for those involved in the July killings. Rahman accused the government of deceiving the nation over implementation of the July charter and called for enforcement of the referendum outcome. He also criticized the government over alleged fear in educational institutions, the return of common-room and guest-room practices, and higher gas prices.