Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today announced the government’s plan to implement the July National Charter in accordance with the constitution, emphasizing that the constitution remains the fundamental framework for fulfilling the people’s aspirations. “Everything, including the formation of the government, parliament, and lawmakers, has taken place in accordance with the constitution. So it can’t be ignored in the name of implementing the July National Charter,” he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks during a discussion on an adjournment motion in the Jatiya Sangsad, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The motion, which was scheduled for discussion, aimed to deliberate on the implementation process of the July National Charter. The adjournment motion was initially brought forward on April 1 by Zainul Abdin Farroque, a ruling party lawmaker from Noakhali-2.
The Home Minister criticized the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, describing it as “legislative fraud” and “colorable legislation.” He noted that although all 33 political parties had ratified the charter, the order did not capture all agreed points. Speaking on behalf of the leader of the house, he argued that rewriting the constitution is unnecessary and that the people’s mandate to implement the charter can be achieved through constitutional amendments.
The minister highlighted the July National Charter 2025 as a historic document reflecting public aspirations. He urged the house to form a special committee with representatives from all political parties to recommend necessary constitutional amendments. He also questioned the opposition’s stance on restoring the Fifth Amendment, which was introduced during Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s rule but later declared void.
Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman spoke during the discussion, urging all parties to refrain from politicizing the charter. He said the document provides clear guidelines for its implementation and warned against enacting laws that appear valid but exceed constitutional limits. He described the charter as a product of a long struggle marked by repression, extrajudicial killings, and sacrifices, emphasizing it should not be treated merely as a political document.
Leader of the opposition Shafiqur Rahman advised parliament not to adopt the adjournment motion, noting a similar motion had previously been raised without a clear outcome. Several lawmakers, including Gazi Enamul Huq, Akhter Hossen, Nazibur Rahman, Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, and Andaleev Rahman, also participated in the discussion.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed earlier accepted the motion and allocated two hours for discussion on April 5, describing it as a rare precedent in Bangladesh’s parliamentary history. “This is the first time in 53 years that an adjournment motion brought by a treasury bench member has been accepted for discussion,” he mentioned.
On March 30, independent MP Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal also raised a similar adjournment motion on the same issue, which is yet to be decided. Later, MP Zainul Abdin Farroque raised a fresh adjournment motion during the parliamentary session. Presenting the motion, he said the “July National Charter” is the outcome of the July-August movement, describing it as the result of years of sacrifice and struggle. He called the charter a roadmap for the nation’s future.
Referring to Rule 62 of the Rules of Procedure, Farroque said the charter represents a political consensus and includes proposals for the formulation, amendment, and revision of various laws, including constitutional changes. He stressed the need for a detailed discussion on how to effectively implement the July National Charter 2025, proposing that the regular business of the House be adjourned to allow such debate.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed accepted the motion, calling it an important proposal. “I am allowing it to be discussed in accordance with Rule 65(2) of the Rules of Procedure,” the Speaker said. “Considering the current business of Parliament, a two-hour discussion on the motion has been scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2026, as the last item of the day,” he added.