Dhaka: Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor (Advisor Status) Professor Ali Riaz said that the nation, crushed by the millstone of individualistic dictatorship, had been waiting for liberation for 16 years; the mass uprising of 2024 has seemingly freed them from the grip of fascism, but the existing constitution of Bangladesh has the path to create dictatorship. Therefore, the July Charter has been formulated so that no more dictatorship can oppress the people. And for the July Charter to be implemented, the Yes vote must be won in the upcoming referendum.
Many people ask, “Who is the candidate for ‘Yes’?” I say, “Yes is the candidate for you, me, all of us.” Because “Yes” will pave the way for all of us to build a humane and democratic Bangladesh.
He made these remarks during a speech by the chairman of a discussion organized to motivate voters for the upcoming referendum at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology auditorium in Sylhet on Sunday (February 1) morning.
Dr. Riaz said, this nation, crushed by the millstone of fascism, does not want any more dictatorship, misrule. They want to build an enlightened future, to bring a new day; that day will be one of equality, equality and joy. Where there will be no fear of being disappeared by some soul-shaking forces, there will be no fear of being arrested in a missing person case, the day that our great freedom fighters dreamed of, the day that our students and the masses sacrificed their lives in the July mass uprising to bring.
He further said that the July Uprising was a remarkable achievement in the history of the nation. This uprising unexpectedly brought an important opportunity to establish democracy, justice and human rights in the life of the country. He mentioned that several reforms have already been made with this goal in mind.
However, along with these initiatives, there is also a need for deep and far-reaching reforms, said Ali Riaz, adding that that is why the July Charter has been formulated based on the consensus of all political parties in the country. The direct consent of the people is required for the implementation of this charter, and a referendum has been organized for that purpose. He urged everyone to participate in the referendum and vote yes.
Explaining the meaning and significance of the ‘Yes’ vote, the special assistant to the chief advisor said that through this, the government and the opposition will work together to form a caretaker government and an election commission. The ruling party will not be able to change the constitution at will; the consent of the people will have to be obtained for important constitutional changes. The deputy speaker and the chairperson of important parliamentary committees will be elected from the opposition party. A person will not be able to remain the prime minister for more than 10 years. The judiciary will work independently, as a result of which the word of justice will no longer cry silently. If the ‘Yes’ vote wins the referendum, the path of fascism will be closed; the path that has been created by the weakness of our constitution.
Sylhet University of Science and Technology VC Professor Dr. M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury, Sylhet Agricultural University VC Professor Dr. Md. Alimul Islam, Sunamganj University of Science and Technology LR VC Professor Dr. Md. Nizam Uddin, Habiganj University of Science and Technology VC Professor Dr. Sayem Uddin Ahmed, among others, spoke at the event.