Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has announced plans to prepare a proclamation related to the July uprising, just one day after distancing itself from a similar proposal by the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement. This movement had played a key role in the political upheaval that led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August.
Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to Yunus, addressed the media in a late-night press conference, stating that the proclamation would be prepared with input and agreement from all parties, including the students’ movement, political groups, and other key stakeholders. Alam emphasized that the aim of the proclamation was to unite the people, reinforce anti-fascist sentiments, and promote reforms within the state—values that were strengthened during the July uprising.
Two days ago, the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, along with the National Citizens Committee, announced that they would declare the proclamation at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. However, following the government’s announcement, the students’ platform changed its approach. Instead of proceeding with the proclamation, they decided to organize a march for unity at the same location and time.
The students had previously stated that their proclamation would challenge the principles of the 1972 Mujibist Constitution, which they blamed for failing to meet the aspirations of the people. Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the student platform, argued that the Mujibist Constitution was partly responsible for India’s aggression in the region and that it needed to be replaced with a new framework.
Sarjis Alam, another leader of the movement, explained that the proclamation would reflect the hopes and desires of the anti-fascist forces, emphasizing unity and reform. The 1972 Constitution, adopted shortly after Bangladesh’s independence, was a product of the country’s first elected assembly and was heavily influenced by the Awami League’s victory in the 1970 elections. However, the platform believes the constitution has outlived its relevance.
In contrast, the interim government distanced itself from the students’ proclamation, with Yunus’ press secretary describing it as a private initiative rather than a government-backed effort. Meanwhile, the Awami League, which has been largely silent since its ouster in August, has seen many of its leaders arrested or in hiding, with limited social media presence.
Leaders of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Mirza Abbas, sharply criticized the student movement’s proposal. Abbas, who is a senior member of the BNP’s policymaking committee, expressed disappointment over the call to “bury” the 1972 Constitution. He pointed out that the constitution was written with the sacrifices of 3 million martyrs during the Liberation War and argued that if there were flaws in the constitution, they could be addressed through amendments rather than its complete rejection.
The debate surrounding the constitution highlights ongoing tensions in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with the student movements and opposition groups often accusing the ousted regime of fascism, while some view any efforts to alter the 1972 Constitution as a threat to the nation’s founding principles.
