Ignoring July Charter would go against public will: Porwar

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called for discussions in parliament on the July Charter and steps towards its implementation, saying ignoring it would go against public opinion.

A parliamentary decision must pave the way for implementing the charter, he said while addressing a workshop for local Jamaat leaders in Khulna today (27 March), before warning against pushing the country toward street protests.

"The people's aspirations are the real law and power. The spirit of the Constitution also places the people's will above all. A majority of citizens support the July Charter, so ignoring it would go against public opinion." 

Criticising past authoritarian rule, Porwar said attempts to suppress public demands had historically led to fresh movements, adding that parliament must play an effective role to avoid such situations. He also urged unity to realise public aspirations.

Criticising the ruling BNP, the Jamaat leader alleged that it feared public mandate like the ousted Awami League and was appointing loyalists instead of holding local government elections.

"This will not end well. By making partisan appointments in local government institutions, the BNP is harming itself."

Referring to the 13th general election, Parwar alleged the vote had been "engineered," but said Jamaat had accepted the outcome in the interest of stability.

"That does not mean we accept injustice or irregularities," he said, adding that the party would continue its political struggle ahead of upcoming local government elections.

Addressing the BNP, he urged it to "learn from 5 August" and avoid creating new political crises, saying Jamaat would support the party as the opposition if it worked to implement public aspirations.

He also accused the BNP of backtracking on its pre-election commitment not to challenge the July Charter in court.