Yunus urges political parties’ support
Abu Jakir :
Chief Adviser to the Interim Government Professor Muhammad Yunus said that “The nation remains united, and I pledge to uphold this unity as long as my interim government is in power. Our strength lies in togetherness, and this meeting aims to finalise the July Proclamation through collective consensus.”
Dr. Yunus was speaking with leaders of various political parties on Thursday to finalise the proclamation. The meeting included representatives from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and Jatiya Nagorik Committee and others.
The draft of the much-discussed July Revolution Proclamation proposes amending or, if necessary, repealing the 1972 Constitution. The draft mentions that the proclamation will take effect retroactively from August 5 of the previous year.
Highlights of the draft proclamation
The draft recounts the long-standing struggles of this land’s people to achieve freedom, referencing the 1947 independence from British colonial rule through the Pakistan Movement and the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 after a bloody war.
It further outlines how mass protests by students and citizens escalated into a full-scale revolution, culminating in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and her subsequent flight to India.
The draft states: “We, the students and the people, organize ourselves as a sovereign populace to implement the ideals of dignity, equality, and social justice for which the Liberation War was fought. We call for the dissolution of the parliament formed through a farcical election and the establishment of an interim government under Dr. Muhammad Yunus to ensure the security, stability, and integrity of the state. This interim government will undertake necessary reforms to ensure good governance, fair elections, and the prevention of any recurrence of fascist regimes.”
The draft also declares the intent to amend or repeal the 1972 Constitution, which it describes as fostering fascism and dictatorship. It promises accountability for crimes against humanity, state-sponsored looting, and genocide committed by the fascist Awami League government during the July Revolution.
Additionally, it emphasizes the need for a new republic to replace the political framework of 1972 and the 1/11 era, aiming to eliminate oppression, exploitation, and inequality. The draft proposes constitutional recognition of this proclamation to reflect the aspirations of the nation’s youth.
Reactions from political leaders Following the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that leaders of all political parties had provided their recommendations on the draft proclamation.
“We questioned the necessity of the July Proclamation more than five months after the revolution and sought clarity on its political, historical, and legal significance,” he said. “It is crucial that the proclamation strengthens the anti-fascist unity and avoids creating any rifts.”
Salahuddin emphasised that if a political document is to achieve historical significance, it must be inclusive, with input from all relevant stakeholders. However, when asked if the BNP had objections to the draft, he declined to answer and left the meeting.
Interim Government Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, speaking to journalists after the meeting, highlighted the importance of extensive discussion and consensus.
“The draft’s political and legal nature needs to be clarified. There is a general agreement that further deliberation among political forces, students, and citizens supporting the July Revolution is necessary to finalize the proclamation. While time should not be wasted, careful observation and consensus are vital,” he noted.
He dismissed concerns about growing divisions between political parties over the proclamation, stating, “There is no discord. Instead, there is a collective determination to ensure that the proclamation belongs to everyone and reflects unity.”
Background and next steps The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Civic Committee had initially planned to publish the proclamation at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar on December 31.
The move sparked widespread debate within the political sphere. Later, the interim government was given until January 15 to finalize the document. Thursday’s meeting, held the day after this deadline, marked a significant step towards consensus.
Adviser Mahfuz Alam explained, “Over the last 12 to 13 days, we have worked on drafting a proclamation inspired by the students’ version. While all parties agree on the need for a proclamation, there is no consensus yet on its content or timing. We hope it will reflect the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.”
Earlier, on December 29, Hasnat Abdullah, convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Movement, stated, “Through this proclamation, we aim to render the Awami League irrelevant, akin to a Nazi regime, and bury the 1972 Constitution once and for all.”