The ultimatum was the principal outcome of a dialogue on the recent 'rise in acts of violence by extreme fundamentalist and communal forces', organised by Workers Party of Bangladesh (WPB) at the Jatiya Press Club. Prominent leaders of 10 political parties including the main opposition Awami League (AL) and a number of leading academics, journalists and writers took part in the deliberations.

At the end of the discussions, the participants announced, if the government failed to meet their demands, the opposition parties would organise a grand rally in Rajshahi on May 31 and launch a fierce movement from there.

Speakers at the dialogue called for a broader unity of pro-liberation forces to root out the ultra-communal forces which have been gradually stretching out their tentacles across the country in a planned manner in a bid to establish a communal government, destroying the sprit of the liberation war.

Besides the AL and the WPB, leaders of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu), Gano Forum, Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (BSD), Ganotantrik Majdur Party (GMP), Gano Azadi League (GAL), Forward Party and Krishak Shramik Samajbadi Dal (KSSD) took part in the discussion.

"Keeping aside all ideological differences, we should come forward and unite with the sprit of the liberation war to resist the surge of communal forces," said AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil.

WPB President Rashed Khan Menon said, "In the name of preventing activities of outlawed political outfits, the JMJB has taken law in its hand and is committing crimes act time and again. The administration's collaboration with it has also been proved by the dilly-dallying of police in arresting Bangla Bhai, despite the home ministry's clear directive to do so."

"It has now become a national issue. If the JMJB's operation is not halted, it will spread out soon to other parts of the country and destroy the secular sprit of our independence," Menon remarked.

AL Publicity Secretary Asa-duzaman Noor MP said, the issue of Bangla Bhai was a political one and must be addressed through a united move.

CPB General Secretary Muja-hidul Islam Selim said, "Considering the state of terror the country is in, we must make immediate united action instead of deliberating on the modality of union, if we want to harness operations of the extreme communal forces.

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Ekatturer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee Acting President Shahriar Kabir said, "The people has to make effort in this case, to suppress the fundamentalist forces, as the foreign countries like USA, UK and India will not say anything against the fundamentalist section of the government, which is protecting their interests."

JSD President Hasanu Haq Inu accused ruling coalition members Jamaat and Islami Oikyo Jote of instigating and patronising Bangla Bhai and his outfit, which received its funds from abroad.

Among others, Gano Forum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, the Daily Sangbad Editor Bazlur Rahman and 11-party alliance Co-ordinator Morshed Ali took part in the discussions.