CA Joins July National Charter Signing Ceremony
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has joined the much-awaited historic July National Charter signing ceremony at South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here this afternoon. The Chief Adviser entered the venue around at 4.30pm and took his seat on the stage. Leaders of different political parties also joined the ceremony to sign the historic charter. Different political parties took part in the discussions with the National Consensus Commission at different times to prepare the charter. Later, it was sent to political parties across the country for further refinement. On Wednesday evening, the Chief Adviser joined the final meeting of the National Consensus Commission with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital to discuss the charter.
According to officials familiar with the process, the 40-page dossier outlines the political history of Bangladesh, covering the British colonial period, the historic Language Movement of 1952, the education movements of 1962, the autonomy movement of 1966, and the mass uprising of 1969. It also recalls the 1970 general elections, the Liberation War of 1971, and the establishment of a one-party state through constitutional amendments in 1975.
The charter noted that "following various political developments, the country returned to democracy through the parliamentary elections of 1979, initiated by the reintroduction of a multi-party system in 1978. However, that democratic path was short-lived." It further highlights that between 2009 and 2024, state institutions were dominated by autocratic practices favoring certain individuals, families, and groups.
The charter criticized the three consecutive controversial elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024, saying they undermined the electoral system, politicized the judiciary, law enforcement and public administration and facilitated corruption. The charter also reflects on the persistent democratic movements of the last 16 years, including road safety movement in 2018, anti-quota movement, and student-led anti-discrimination movement, culminating in the broad-based mass uprising against fascism in July 2024.
Finally, the charter contains a seven-point commitment, urging political party representatives to sign it and uphold the will of the people expressed in the July 2024 uprising, grounded in democratic principles and national consensus.
