BNP faces major challenge over July Charter and referendum mandate, speakers say

The BNP faces a major political test over the July Charter and the referendum verdict, speakers said at a seminar in Dhaka, arguing that fundamental state reforms cannot proceed under the existing constitutional framework without recognising the people’s sovereign power.

The seminar, titled “Referendum and the Sovereign Power of the People,” was organised by the Citizens’ Forum for the Implementation of Referendum at the National Press Club. Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir said the people’s constituent power does not disappear once a constitution has been framed. He cited the caretaker government system, introduced through the 13th amendment, as an arrangement created through national necessity and political consensus.

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Failure to implement the July Charter will also raise questions about the legitimacy of the government.

“Failure to implement the July Charter will also raise questions about the legitimacy of the government,” Shishir said. He accused the BNP of hesitating to recognise the July Uprising as a revolution because it lacked a single political leadership. “Although the BNP claims to be a party of the people, it is not accepting the referendum,” he said, arguing that the interests and egos of a few individuals should not override the national will.

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Although the BNP claims to be a party of the people, it is not accepting the referendum.

Tajul Islam, a former chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal and a Supreme Court lawyer, said the BNP had repeatedly pledged to implement the July Charter but later moved away from that commitment. “Six months have passed [since forming the government], but they [BNP] have not implemented even a single point. They could have become heroes, but they have turned into villains,” he said.

Other speakers said the charter and referendum should not be treated as the agenda of one party. Arif Sohel, a former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said political freedom could come only through establishing popular sovereignty. Fahim Mashrur said the political reality created after Aug. 5, 2024, could not be addressed within the current constitutional framework. He said the referendum mandated changes including a bicameral parliament, restructured constitutional institutions and a balance of power. Former diplomat Shakib Ali added that meaningful reform would also require changes to the economic foundations and internal management of political parties.

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Six months have passed [since forming the government], but they [BNP] have not implemented even a single point. They could have become heroes, but they have turned into villains.