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Published : 18 Oct 2025, 01:57 AM
The political document for state reform -- the July National Charter -- has been signed amid conflicts with protesters, boycotts and uncertainty over how it will be implemented.
The National Consensus Commission, led by Muhammad Yunus, and 24 political parties on Friday signed the charter at a ceremony delayed by heavy rain and clashes between police and July activists.
However, the National Citizen Party (NCP) -- formed by the front-line leaders of the July Uprising -- and four left-leaning parties boycotted the event, citing disagreements over the content and intent of the charter.
Although leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties signed the document before invited guests, sharp divisions remained over how the July Charter will actually be enforced.
Government representatives and political leaders described the Charter as a “historic document” and a major positive step, while some analysts voiced doubts about its future and legitimacy.
Yunus, National Consensus Commission president and chairman hailed the signing as a “rebirth,” saying: “With this signature we have launched a new Bangladesh. This will not only be significant for our nation, but will stand as an example for the entire world.”
Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz said despite differences of opinion, the political parties’ consensus would help the Charter’s rapid implementation.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called the event the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political history, while Jamaat warned that delays in implementation could trigger a new political crisis.
Political analyst Zobaida Nasreen said by attempting to overturn the country’s founding principles and rewrite history, the charter risks replacing one broken structure with another, creating “paralysis in reform”.
“A structure that was not working has been broken,” she said, “but this charter has created a new structure which could lead to deadlock. Whether this wall can be broken depends on the people, on how much pressure they can place on the next elected government.”
She also questioned the legitimacy of a charter negotiated among largely unfamiliar or newly formed political groups.
“It is said 35 parties were involved, but does the public even know their names? Most of the 25 who signed are either new or nominal. Until ordinary Bangladeshis accept it, the charter has no real legitimacy.”
Asked about the prospect of a referendum to obtain public consent, Dr Nasreen said the process had failed to engage citizens.
“How many people in Bangladesh can read such a document? How many will understand the formal, bookish language used here? It’s not a people-friendly or participatory charter,” she said.
Another political scientist Kazi Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman viewed the charter more positively, calling it a constructive step despite the absence of five parties, including the NCP.
“Today 24 parties signed the charter, that’s encouraging,” he said. “It would have been better if the front-line leaders of the July Uprising had been present, since the movement was under their leadership. Their absence leaves it slightly incomplete, but once their objections are addressed, they will likely sign later.”
He called the July Charter a new message for political reconciliation in Bangladesh.
“It demonstrates that the political parties, the Consensus Commission and the government can reach decisions through dialogue, which is a new practice in our politics.”
On the disputes over implementation, he said: “Those differences will be resolved. We’ve come far enough through discussions, and where there is consensus in the charter, implementation will follow. Soon, under the chief advisor’s leadership, we’ll see the issues settled through dialogue.”
He agreed that a referendum would ultimately be needed. “A referendum is vital to verify the people’s consent. Without citizens’ approval, nothing can be transformed into constitutional law.”
HOW THE SIGNING CEREMONY UNFOLDED
The signing ceremony for the “July National Charter 2025” took place at the South Plaza at 5pm, more than half an hour late due to rain.
At 4:30pm, Chief Advisor Yunus arrived on stage to the sound of a military band and was welcomed by
Riaz. Leaders of political parties involved in drafting the Charter joined him on stage. The national anthem was played at 4:37pm to open the programme.
Riaz, who led political negotiations over the Charter, said in his speech: “Today marks an unprecedented and unique moment in the country’s history -- a milestone on our long journey through a time of transition.”
Under the leadership of Yunus, members of the Consensus Commission and 25 party leaders signed the charter in the presence of diplomats and invited guests from various professions.
Although 33 parties had participated in earlier dialogues, several were absent from the signing. In the audience were the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hasan and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan.
Most advisors of the interim council attended, though two Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain of Local Government and Mahfuj Alam of Information, did not, despite representing the student leaders of the July movement.
CLASHES, LAST-MINUTE AMENDMENT
Earlier in the day, July activists gathered in front of the stage demanding state recognition, legal protection, and rehabilitation for those injured in the 2024 Uprising.
As they began their protest, Riaz came to the stage and announced that an amendment would be made to the charter to meet their demands.
But when the protesters refused to leave, police baton-charged them and used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.
The protesters vandalised several vehicles outside the parliament and set tyres, wooden planks, and temporary tents ablaze. Several injured people were taken to hospital, and others scattered towards Khamarbari and Asad Gate.
Moments before the signing, the Consensus Commission announced that Clause 5 of the charter had been amended.
The new text reads: “We will ensure prosecution of all killings committed by members of the fascist Awami League and some of its allied law-enforcing officers during the 16-year ‘anti-fascist’ democratic struggle before the mass uprising and during the July-August 2024 movement; we will grant state recognition to the martyrs, provide monthly allowances, advanced medical care and rehabilitation to injured July fighters, and ensure legal indemnity, protection of fundamental rights and security for martyr families and the wounded.”
The previous version had pledged only to “ensure prosecution, provide state recognition to martyrs and adequate medical care and rehabilitation for the injured”.
Meanwhile, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman slated the interim government over the police action on July fighters, saying: “They were beaten by oppressors. If now they are beaten by police of the interim government, where do I hide my shame?”
WHO SIGNED THE CHARTER
• BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed
• Jamaat-e-Islami deputy chief Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar
• Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Dr Redwan Ahmed and Presidium Member Neamul Bashir
• Khilafat Majlis chief Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Quader
• Rashtro Songskar Andolan Chief Coordinator Hasnat Kaiyum and Media Coordinator Syed Hasib Uddin
• Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Chairman Mohammad Mojibur Rahman Bhuiyan Manju and General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad
• Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna and General Secretary Shahidullah Kaiser
• National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj and Secretary General Mominul Amin
• Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis senior deputy chief Maulana Yusuf Ashraf and Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed
• Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel
• Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) Secretary General Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan and Senior Vice-President Tania Rob
• Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Md Rashed Khan
• Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque and Political Council member Bohnishikha Jamali
• Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote Coordinator Fariduzzaman Farhad and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) President freedom fighter Khandakar Lutfur Rahman
• 12-Party Alliance spokesperson Shahadat Hossain Selim
• Islami Andolan Bangladesh Presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon and Senior Joint Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman
• Zaker Party Vice-Chairman Alhaj Shahidul Islam Bhuiyan and Jahirul Hasan Sheikh
• Jatiya Gonofront Coordinator Aminul Haque Tipu Biswas and Central Committee member Manjurul Arefin Litu Biswas
• Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party senior deputy chief Maulana Abdul Majed Athari and Secretary General Maulana Musa Bin Izhar
• Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran and Acting Secretary General Khandakar Mirajul Islam
• Bhashani Janashakti Party Chairman freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam (Babul) and General Secretary Mohammad Abu Yusuf (Selim)
• Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Vice-President Maulana Abdur Rob Yousufi and Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi
• Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Maulana Abdul Kader and Secretary General Mufti Sakhawat Hossain Raji
• A-Am Janata Party President Mia Mashiuzzaman and General Secretary Md Tariq Rahman
GOVT REPRESENTATIVES
• Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, chairman and president of the National Consensus Commission
• Ali Riaz, vice-President of the National Consensus Commission
• Md Aiyub Miah, member of the National Consensus Commission and Public Administration Reform Commission
• Safar Raj Hossain, member of the National Consensus Commission and head of the Police Reform Commission
• Badiul Alam Majumdar, member of the National Consensus Commission and head of the Electoral Reform Commission
• Justice Emdadul Haque, member of the National Consensus Commission and head of the Judicial Reform Commission
• Iftakharuzzaman, member of the National Consensus Commission and head of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission
WHY 6 PARTIES REFUSED TO SIGN
Despite 33 parties and alliances participating in the first round of dialogues with the National Consensus Commission, only 30 took part in the subsequent stage, of which 24 signed the charter.
Two separate groups abstained from signing the July Charter: the National Citizen Party (NCP) and four left-leaning parties -- the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Socialist Party (BaSaD), Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist) and Bangladesh Jatiya Socialist Party–Bangladesh JaSaD and Ganoforum.
NCP Convenor Nahid Islam had announced on Thursday, a day before the signing ceremony, that his party would not attend unless prior clarity was provided on the Charter’s legal basis and the process of its enactment.
He said that signing the Charter before the issuance of such a legal order would be merely a formality, as the July Charter has already been drafted. “A referendum will be conducted based on that constitutional order and the whole process will proceed,” he added.
Referring to an earlier instance when a legal basis was promised for the July Declaration but never delivered, he said: “Even the text and wording of the July Declaration were deceptive. The version we were shown earlier was changed, filled with compromise language.”
“We do not want to witness another meaningless exercise. Without assurance of legal backing and a formal order, signing the Charter would be worthless. We have no guarantee of what kind of order the government will issue later. Until that is ensured, we will not take part in the signing ceremony,” he added.
Speaking at a rally before Friday’s signing event, Nahid -- who recently left the interim government to re-enter politics -- accused certain parties of deceiving the public under the guise of “national consensus”.
He said, “Some people think that if a few parties come together, it automatically becomes a national unity. Today, a few parties will sign a paper called the July Charter and claim it to be national unity. We believe true national unity involves students, workers, and professionals standing together.”
Meanwhile, four left-wing parties said they rejected the charter for seven reasons, including the omission of the four fundamental principles of the existing constitution and the declaration of independence, as well as provisions that contradict basic rights.
The parties said the charter effectively denies the foundation of Bangladesh’s independence and Liberation War. They argued that it was impossible for them to sign a document that included a pledge not to challenge certain issues in court.
At a press conference on Thursday, BaSaD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz said the Charter required signatories to agree to amend Schedule 150(2) of the transitional provisions and refrain from questioning it in court. “We cannot sign a Charter that compels us to abandon the four fundamental principles of democracy, socialism, secularism, and nationalism,” he said.
In response to the charter signing, the parties said they would launch a public movement to present their objections before the people.
Earlier, on Wednesday, following an emergency meeting with Yunus, the Gano Forum joined the four left parties in announcing that they too would not sign the Charter for the same reasons.
