July uprising: Proclamation to take some more time
The July uprising proclamation will be made after intensive discussions with all stakeholders and consensus of all political parties.
This decision was made at a meeting between 16 political parties and organisations and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday.
The BNP at the meeting questioned the necessity of the proclamation five and a half months after the uprising, but said if the proclamation turned into a political or historical document, the party would respect it.
Several leaders at the meeting proposed forming a committee with representatives from students and political parties that would prepare the proclamation. Further discussions can take place on finalising the proclamation.
Two political parties and pro-BNP 12-party alliance boycotted the meeting. They cited insufficient time given to them for proper preparations. The 12-party alliance termed the meeting “a staged drama”.
After yesterday’s meeting, Law Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul said, “All of them [meeting participants] said that such a document is necessary. A consensus was reached that the proclamation must acknowledge the contributions of everyone … ”
“It will take some time …,” he said about how long it would take to prepare the proclamation.
The issue of proclamation surfaced as the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee on December 30 said they would formally proclaim the uprising the next day. Student leaders also said the “Mujibbadi” constitution would be invalidated.
Initially, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said the government had no involvement in the event. However, that very night it said the government would take the initiative to prepare the proclamation based on national consensus.
Later that night, the student group and the Nagorik committee announced their support for the government initiative and decided to hold a “March for Unity” programme instead of the event for the proclamation.
“We were born from unity and unity is our strength.”
The Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee also threatened demonstrations if the proclamation was not made by January 15.
Yesterday, in his opening speech of the meeting held at the Foreign Service Academy, Prof Yunus said his government was the outcome of the unity the people demonstrated during the uprising and asked political parties to extend their support to the government.
“When we work alone and suddenly see you are not around us, we feel weak,” he said, adding, “We were born from unity and unity is our strength.”
He said the government called for the meeting after students who led the uprising came to him and told him that there would be a proclamation and insisted on him being part of it.
Prof Yunus said if the proclamation was unanimous, then it would be good for the country and it would enhance Bangladesh’s image globally.
A total of 27 representatives of the BNP, Jamaat, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Adhikar Parishad, National Democratic Party, Gono Front, Basad (Marxist), Students Against Discrimination, AB Party, Khelafat Movement, Jasad, Rashtra Sonskar Andolon, Khelafat Majlis, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Nizam-e-Islami joined the meeting.
After the meeting, leaders of Students Against Discrimination and Jatiya Nagorik Committee said the proclamation would be a historic document of a new political settlement for a democratic Bangladesh.
Member Secretary of Students Against Discrimination Arif Sohel said, “The document will have historical significance in the establishment of a prosperous and democratic state and the July movement will be recognised globally.
“Further discussions will be held regarding what should be included in the document to reflect the aspirations of the students and people who took to the streets in July.”
Convener of Jatiya Nagorik Committee Nasiruddin Patwary said Bangladesh cannot move towards the democratic transition without this document.
“For this reason, we have called upon all democratic forces and the people who are committed to democracy, who have fought for it over the last 15 years, to unite through this declaration,” he said.
BNP’s standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the most urgent matter was to maintain the anti-fascist national unity, which was created through the July uprising.
Regarding the proclamation, he said, “There were some discussions about the proclamation, and political party leaders gave their suggestions. We questioned whether the declaration on the July uprising, after five and a half months, was really necessary. If it is, its political, historical, and legal significance needs to be determined.
” … We want to make an inclusive political statement with all the political parties who have been involved in the anti-fascist movement. We must ensure that no fascist power or fascist collaborators can plant the seeds of disunity within us.
“We must ensure that no rift is created in the unity against fascism over this proclamation. If it turns into a political or historical document, we must respect it. But while formulating it, all relevant parties should be included, and their suggestions must be taken into account.”
Miah Golam Parwar, secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islam, said all the parties in the meeting felt the necessity of a proclamation.
“However, if we rush, there might be mistakes … Time is needed and we need to exchange views with political parties and various stakeholders.
“We will provide separate proposals that will be later compiled into one cohesive declaration,” he said, adding that the process should not be delayed too much as it could create room for chaos or conspiracies.
Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan, said the proclamation should not be drafted hastily or carelessly.
“The issues of content as well as legal and political aspects of the proclamation must be addressed through consensus,” he said.
Joint Secretary General of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Gazi Ataur Rahman said they emphasised the need for ensuring that the spirit of the July uprising is reflected in the proclamation.
On Prof Yunus’ comment about feeling weak, the IAB leader said, “We told him [Yunus] that you need to understand why you are feeling weaker.
“Why is there a growing distance between you and the political parties? Why is there a lack of coordination? It is your responsibility to bridge this gap, and if you fail to do so, we will all suffer,” he said.
Asaduzzaman Fuad, general secretary of AB (Amar Bangladesh) Party, said that they proposed that the proclamation briefly mention all historic events — from the Battle of Plassey in 1757 to the Liberation War and all movements over the last 15 years.
“The proclamation should be concise. It will help all parties reach a consensus, as larger documents leave more scope for disagreements,” said Fuad.
Hefazat-e Islam’s Senior Joint Secretary General Md Junaid Al Habib said they suggested the inclusion of Shapla Chattar incident (of May 2013) in the proclamation.
Mohammad Rashed Khan, general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, said they told the meeting that the declaration must acknowledge the 2018 quota reform movement and the road safety movement. It should also clearly mention victims of enforced disappearances and killings over the last 15 years.
He said almost all political party criticised the government for sending them a draft proclamation just two hours prior to the meeting.
He said all parties asked whether the draft was made by the government, the students, or a private organisation. He said the government failed to provide a clear answer.
Secretary General of Khelafat Majlis Ahmad Abdul Kader, Secretary General of Khelafat Andolan Mufti Fakhrul Islam, Secretary General of Nationalist Democratic Movement Mominul Amin also spoke before reporters after the meeting.
CPB, BASAD, AND 12-PARTY ALLIANCE SKIP
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), and the 12-party alliance yesterday skipped the meeting due to late invitations.
CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince said he received an anonymous text at 1:29pm, just hours before the meeting, asking him to send a representative.
“It was unrealistic for us to hold discussions with party leaders and our alliance partners on such an important matter within such a short time,” he said.
Razekuzzaman Ratan, assistant general secretary of Basad, said, “Proper preparation was essential. There is doubt over the invitation even being formal.”
Syed Ehsanul Huda, coordinator of the 12-party alliance, at a press conference said, “A drama is being staged at the Foreign Service Academy.”
Shahadat Hossain Selim, spokesperson for the alliance, said if an all-party meeting is to be held, those who have fought for 16 years should be prioritised.
“They deserve a formal invitation, not an SMS sent at 10:00pm. A state cannot operate this way,” he added.
LondonGBDESK//
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