Dhaka: Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, today expressed that the July Movement has sparked new hope among the populace for establishing a justice-based state, following the conclusion of a prolonged period of misrule in the country. He voiced this sentiment during a discussion on a motion to summon the session of the Constitution Reform Council in parliament.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Opposition Leader introduced the motion in the House under Section 62 of the Rules of Procedure. This motion aims to summon the session of the Constitution Reform Council, in accordance with the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025. Dr. Rahman remarked that despite Bangladesh marking 55 years of independence, the aspirations of its people remain unfulfilled. He highlighted that although governments have formed and changed over the years, citizens’ voting rights and democratic practices have faced repeated obstructions.
Dr. Rahman pointed out that Bangladesh is theoretically a democratic state where governments are elected through public votes. However, he noted that in practice, citizens’ voting rights have often been restricted or entirely denied. He reflected on the introduction of a multi-party democratic system in the early post-independence years, which was subsequently weakened by the establishment of one-party rule. This, he said, eroded the democratic structure and diminished the constitutional value of people’s votes.
He further criticized the lack of democratic continuity, even after successive governments assumed power. Referring to the government formed in 2009, he alleged that its over 15-year tenure was marked by prolonged misrule. During this period, he accused, dissenting voices faced widespread repression, and numerous members of Parliament were persecuted. He also alleged a significant increase in incidents of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and political repression, leading many to flee the country, impacting countless families.
The opposition leader stated that the populace long resisted these conditions, culminating in the July Movement of 2024. This movement, he noted, saw participation from all societal sectors, including youth, farmers, workers, students, women, and even children, leading to a pivotal political change on August 5. In this context, Dr. Rahman emphasized that a strong aspiration for a justice-based state ensuring equal rights and justice for all has emerged among the people.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman mentioned that with this objective, efforts have been made to build national consensus through extensive discussions among political parties and stakeholders. He noted that the interim government’s National Consensus Commission has finalized several reform proposals. The President has issued an order based on these proposals, which is expected to lay the groundwork for future reforms. He expressed optimism that these initiatives would aid in establishing an effective, justice-based, and democratic state system in Bangladesh.