Gopalganj, Aug 23 (V7N) — Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, addressed a street rally at the Muksudpur College intersection in Gopalganj, urging reform of the election system. He insisted that elections to higher-level legislative bodies must be held under a proportional representation (PR) system.
 
Speaking to supporters, he said the movement had fought for a return to the fundamental rights of rice and the vote. For the upcoming national election, he encouraged voters to elect representatives who truly champion public interests, describing this as the only way to fulfill the movement’s goals.
 
Nur, who was en route to a rally in Jessore, delivered his remarks at the roadside gathering organized under the leadership of Gopalganj district leaders and the student wing of his party. Among the speakers at the event were Rashed Khan (General Secretary, Gono Odhikar Parishad), Dr. Firozur Rahman (Organizing Secretary, Faridpur division), Shahidul Islam and Mahfuzur Rahman (senior members), Faruk Hossain (Youth Wing’s Publication Secretary), Molla Ibrahim (Gopalganj Youth Wing Secretary), Sheikh Mojahid (Student Wing President), and Muksudpur convener Mohammad Ali.
 
Extensive security arrangements were in place across the region, with a visible presence of police and RAB personnel ensuring public order around Muksudpur and neighboring Kashiani.
 
Nur emphasized that Gopalganj is home to many esteemed figures, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and not all its inhabitants are complicit in wrongdoing. Nonetheless, he insisted those engaged in injustice must be held accountable and not granted forgiveness.
 
He also warned against the misuse of law enforcement as a tool of intimidation. To prevent such abuse, he advocated for institutional reforms paired with efforts to transform security forces into people-centered organizations.
 
Accusing the current administration of authoritarianism, Nur claimed that at least 2,000 people have been killed and 30,000 injured through state repression. At the same time, he cautioned against hasty criticism of the military, citing its role in protecting senior party leaders and contributing to national security. He described it as a source of pride and urged citizens to speak responsibly.
 
Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, added that the government has systematically suppressed democracy over the past 16 years, violating voters’ rights, deploying enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and rampant corruption.
 
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