Dhaka: Chief Adviser€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¾¢s Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz has emphasized that the fundamental aim of the July Charter is to re-establish the rights for which the people fought for liberation in 1971 and for which they rose in a mass uprising in 2024. “After traversing a long and bloodstained path, an opportunity has once again emerged, 54 years later, to restore the people€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¾¢s rights. We will not lose this opportunity through negligence,” he stated during an engagement with Buddhist and Christian community members as part of the referendum campaign and voter motivation efforts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was organized by the Buddhist and Christian Religious Welfare Trust at the Dharmarajika Buddhist temple auditorium in Basabo, Dhaka. Professor Riaz expressed that a democratic and humane Bangladesh could be established if the “Yes” vote wins in the upcoming referendum on the July Charter. He asserted that the Charter would ensure religious rights for every citizen and create a society grounded in equality, human dignity, and social justice, devoid of discrimination based on religious beliefs.
Riaz highlighted the need for extensive reforms to rescue the state from fascist control, urging a “Yes” vote in the referendum to achieve these changes. He emphasized that despite the constitutional declaration that all powers of the Republic belong to the people, they have been deprived of these rights. He called for participation in the referendum as a matter of conscience to prevent Bangladesh’s future from mirroring its past, stating, “Remember, through victory in the referendum, it is possible to build the state system you desire.”
Discussing the role of the President, Riaz noted that past experiences have shown that decisions were primarily made at the Prime Minister€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¾¢s discretion. He referenced Article 70 of the Constitution, describing it as a gag on ruling party MPs and a barrier to democratic development. The reform proposal suggests MPs should remain party-loyal only for finance bills and votes of confidence, allowing independent opinions on other matters.
Monir Haidar, another Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, reiterated that the Proclamation of Independence aimed to implement social justice and human values with dignity. He dismissed misinformation about the referendum’s impact on religious expressions in the Constitution, urging the public not to be swayed by such propaganda.
The event was chaired by Bhabesh Chakma, Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust, with other notable speakers including Religious Affairs Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust Secretary Joy Dutta Barua, and Christian Religious Welfare Trust Trustee Pius Costa.