Jamaat proposes implementation of July Charter through 'Constitution Order-2025'
Denying Liberation War would mean denying Bangladesh itself, says Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Azad
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has proposed giving the July Charter a legal basis through a "Constitution Order-2025" and further strengthening it by holding a referendum.
"We have proposed that the July Charter be granted legal legitimacy through Constitution Order-2025, and if a referendum is held on it, it will become even stronger. This way, no one will be able to challenge it later," Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said today (14 September) while speaking at a meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.
According to Article 7 of the Constitution, which reflects the will of the people, a constitution order will make it more powerful, the Jamaat leader said.
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"Everyone is doing politics by recognising Bangladesh, and so are we. Therefore, there is no scope to go back to past debates. If one denies the Liberation War, it is effectively a denial of Bangladesh itself."
Citing precedents, Azad referred to the Legal Framework Order (LFO) of 1970, the referendum under Ziaur Rahman, and the constitutional changes following the 1991 uprising.
"By giving the July Charter a legal foundation, all future elections will have to be held on its basis. This will make elections festive and acceptable," he said.
Azad added that political parties had already reached consensus on 84 issues under the July Charter, leaving "no further obstacles or scope for discussion" regarding its implementation.
"Once the charter is signed, it will be recognised as a state document. For a new journey towards democracy, there is no alternative to giving it a legal foundation. So that no one can challenge it to abolish," he noted.
He further said, "There are such precedents in the past. Even the constitutional amendment has been repealed and the 16th amendment has also been repealed. That is why we have said that the July Charter should be given a legal basis in the constitutional order."
Clarifying Jamaat's position, Azad said, "We want a constitution order, not a constitutional amendment. Constitutional amendments can be challenged. A constitution order, on the other hand, is much stronger. If it is further endorsed by a referendum, it will become even more solid. That is the proposal we have made."
'Denying Liberation War would mean denying Bangladesh itself'
In response to a question, Hamidur Rahman said that denying the Liberation War would mean denying Bangladesh itself.
He said, "We have been doing politics in line with Bangladesh's legal and constitutional process. We have repeatedly said that the country's independence war is our achievement.
"Everyone is doing politics by recognising Bangladesh, and so are we. Therefore, there is no scope to go back to past debates. If one denies the Liberation War, it is effectively a denial of Bangladesh itself."
The Jamaat leader said the government had made reform its top priority and had promised to correct past errors and deviations that had damaged the state system, reports UNB.
He added that the government's first commitment was to lead the country towards a new path, free from past failures, the second promise was national reform, and the third was to hold the best election in Bangladesh's history in a festive and inclusive atmosphere.
Azad said Jamaat-e-Islami wants to believe that a level playing field will be created, as promised by the chief adviser, ensuring a neutral and acceptable election.
He, however, expressed concern over the recent Ducsu and Jucsu elections, suggesting they sent a negative signal regarding the electoral environment and result announcements.
"We are worried that such influence in student elections might reflect on the national election as well," he mentioned.
Azad reiterated that the people's expectations can only be fulfilled if the upcoming general election is conducted under a fair, impartial and credible administration.
