Ali Riaz urges VCs, students in Rajshahi division to campaign for ‘yes’ vote in referendum

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz has urged university vice-chancellors and students in Rajshahi division to seize the opportunity of state reform by actively campaigning in favour of the July Charter referendum.

If around 150,000 university-level students in the Rajshahi division campaign in favour of the referendum over the next seven days and take responsibility for mobilising "yes" votes, it would be highly effective, said Ali Riaz at a public awareness and opinion-exchange meeting on the referendum at the Senate Building of Rajshahi University today (2 February).

He called on all concerned to carry out the campaign out of a sense of duty and responsibility to those who lost their lives in July, adding that people should act on their own initiative instead of waiting for government directives.

"The opportunity for a referendum did not come easily," he said, adding that the referendum is not only an issue for the current government.

"If Bangladesh is to be transformed into an accountable state, campaigning for the referendum is essential."

He also described the July National Charter as an act of justice, saying it is not merely a document but a roadmap for building a democratic state founded on the blood of martyrs.

Ali Riaz further said that key institutions such as the Bangladesh Public Service Commission are still not independent, while the Anti-Corruption Commission also remains controlled.

The meeting was jointly organised by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh and Rajshahi University.

Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Saleh Hasan Naqib, along with teachers, senior administrators, Rucsu representatives and students, also spoke at the event.

Ali Riaz is currently serving as the chief coordinator of public awareness campaigns related to the 13th national election and the referendum.