Youth to act as July fighters to protect voting rights: Jamaat Ameer

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called on young voters to be prepared to take to the streets as “July fighters” if necessary to protect voting rights and ensure a decisive victory in the next national election.

He made the remarks after visiting the grave of Abu Sayed on Saturday (January 24), the first martyr of the 2024 anti-discrimination student movement, in Babonpur village of Pirganj upazila in Rangpur.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Dr. Rahman said the youth must remain vigilant to ensure that votes are cast and counted according to the people’s will. “If needed, we will once again become July fighters to reclaim the people’s victory,” he said.

He also met members of Abu Sayed’s family, paid tribute to his sacrifice, and expressed condolences to his grieving relatives. Embracing the martyr’s father, Makbul Hossain, Dr. Rahman said the party would continue its struggle to realise the dreams of those who lost their lives in the movement.

In a brief address at the family residence, the Jamaat chief pledged to work toward building a Bangladesh based on justice, accountability, and fairness, reflecting the aspirations of the people.

Addressing young and first-time voters, he said Jamaat would entrust future leadership to the youth, pledging continued support and guidance from senior leaders. He urged them to prepare to safeguard the electoral process so that “no one can take their vote lightly.”

Senior Jamaat leaders, including Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, central executive member Maulana Mumtaz Uddin, and local candidates and student wing leaders, were present at the event.