Staff Reporter :
The government announced plans to hold formal discussions with political parties and other stakeholders next week to finalise the much-anticipated July Proclamation, Mahfuj Alam, an adviser to the interim government, said on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Alam emphasised that the government would not unilaterally issue the proclamation but instead facilitate a broader national consensus.
“We hope the July Proclamation will reflect the tragic stories of those who suffered over the past 15 years,” Mahfuj Alam stated.
He also noted that data collection and discussions on the proclamation are ongoing, though the consultation process with various stakeholders might delay the final announcement.
The adviser urged the agitating students to remain calm, assuring them that the process is progressing. His remarks follow repeated demands from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens’ Committee for a declaration to be made by January 15.
The July uprising, also referred to as the July-August Uprising or the Monsoon Revolution, has become a rallying point for youth-led organisations advocating for anti-fascist unity and state reform.
Last month, these groups called for a “Proclamation of the July Revolution” to be held on December 31 at the Shaheed Minar.
Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, emphasized the need to “bury the Mujibist constitution of 1972” and submitted a draft of the proclamation to political parties active during the uprising.
The move faced criticism from groups such as Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, and Chhatra Union, who argued that such a proclamation, coming months after the uprising, risks creating a biased narrative.
On January 6, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reiterated that the proclamation would be finalised only after consultations with political parties.
The government’s press wing highlighted that the declaration would embody the anti-fascist spirit and unity achieved through the July uprising.
The proclamation aims to reflect the aspirations of the people and foster unity among all political and student groups.
The interim government has committed to drafting the document through a participatory process that considers diverse perspectives.
