Political consensus needed to implement July Charter referendum verdict: Speakers

Political leaders and civil society figures have called for concrete action, backed by political consensus, to implement the July Charter referendum verdict, undertake fundamental constitutional reform and establish popular sovereignty.

They said the government and political parties need to take clearer and more effective steps to deliver on the expectations for state and constitutional reform that emerged after the July uprising.

They made the remarks at a discussion titled 'Sovereignty Strategy of the Bangladesh State in the New Global and Regional Geopolitical Context' at the National Press Club in Dhaka today (5 September). 

The event was organised to mark the launch of the 'Anti-Hegemony Civil Society'.

Former chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Tajul Islam said more than six months had passed since the new government took office, but people had yet to see the benefits of the reforms promised in the July Charter.

He alleged that the BNP, despite pledging before the election to implement all the provisions of the charter, was now retreating from that commitment.

Tajul said fundamental changes to the Constitution could not be achieved merely through amendments and argued that a Constituent Assembly would be needed to draft a new Constitution.

He also claimed that voters had endorsed a new Constitution and broader state reforms through the July referendum.

Former diplomat Sakib Ali said meaningful change would not be possible without implementing the July Charter referendum verdict and carrying out fundamental constitutional reforms.

Ignoring public aspirations, he warned, could push the country towards greater uncertainty.

Arif Sohel, an organiser of the NPA, said implementing the referendum verdict would require a broader political struggle for structural change.

Although students, workers, farmers and professionals from different sections of society took part in the 2024 uprising, he claimed their representation had not been adequately reflected in the subsequent political process.

Lawyer Shishir Manir said the Constitution places ultimate state power in the hands of the people, but argued that several major changes of government had taken place outside the established constitutional framework.

Citing the political changes of 1975, 1990 and 2024, he said none had occurred through the conventional constitutional process.

Referring to various Supreme Court judgments, Shishir said the people retain their "constituent power" even after a Constitution has been adopted and can exercise it in exceptional circumstances.

Describing the change of government on 5 August as an expression of popular aspirations, he urged the BNP to respect what he called the people's mandate.

He also called on the head of the current government to use the opportunity to act as a statesman rather than merely as a political party leader.