Staff Reporter :
National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has urged chief adviser to the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, to formally issue the order implementing the July National Charter, calling it a crucial step toward establishing the legal and moral foundation for Bangladesh’s political transition.
Speaking at a discussion event marking the launch of the University Teachers’ Forum (UTF) at the Poet Shamsur Rahman Auditorium of the Bangla Academy on Friday afternoon, Nahid said there should be “no note of dissent” in the July Charter, as it embodies the consensus achieved through the mass uprising earlier this year.
“There will be no note of dissent in the July Charter,” Nahid declared. “Whatever consensus has been reached, the rest will be determined by the people. If the people say so, those matters will be implemented.”
He emphasized that the Charter—adopted in the aftermath of the historic July uprising—must now serve as the framework for the forthcoming national election. “We will carry forward Bangladesh by upholding the aspirations of the mass uprising,” Nahid said, expressing hope that the country would soon move toward a national election grounded in the Charter’s principles.
The NCP leader reiterated that all forces that took part in the July movement should find representation in the next parliament, which, he added, would also act as a Constitution Reform Council. “The next parliament will work on drafting a new constitution,” he said. “Those who are teachers must take part in it, and from the NCP’s side, we will try to ensure that.”
Nahid underscored the importance of inclusivity in the reform process, noting that the future parliament and the reform council must include young people, teachers, religious scholars, women, minorities, and professionals from diverse backgrounds. “Through their participation, the July Charter will be fully implemented,” he said.
Reiterating his call for a referendum, Nahid insisted that Professor Yunus, as chief adviser, must take the decisive step to issue the order on the July Charter. “Before everything else, our current demand is a referendum,” he said. “Professor Muhammad Yunus must issue the order for the July Charter.”
At the same event, the central convening committee of the newly formed University Teachers’ Forum was announced. Professor Md Sirajul Islam of Dhaka University was named the convener, while Professor Shamim Hamidi of Dhaka International University was appointed as the member secretary.
The declaration of the UTF was read out by Professor Sirajul Islam, with several university teachers addressing the gathering and voicing support for a participatory process in national reform.
