July proclamation: Declaration might get delayed, govt to open talks with political parties, others next week

The interim government will hold meetings on the July uprising proclamation with political, cultural and social organisations next week, Adviser Mahfuj Alam said today (9 January).

"The students have made a proposal. The government will issue a declaration. But it will be based on everyone's consensus. We have started working to that end. We will start and finish the discussion next week," he said at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka after a meeting of the Council of Advisers at the Chief Adviser's Office with CA Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

"We will not only discuss with the political parties but also with the social and cultural organisations that played a role in the uprising," he added.

The adviser also announced that the proclamation might not be announced on 15 January as initially planned, because more time is needed to achieve broader consensus.

"We want to make it an inclusive and unified document," he said.

Mahfuj, however, said the declaration would not face significant delays and would be made once a wider agreement is reached. "There was a demand from students to announce it on 15 January... it may get delayed for some time. But it will not be too late," he said.

Mahfuj's statement comes as the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee leaders have repeatedly demanded that the government declare a proclamation on the July uprising, also known as the July-August Uprising and the Monsoon Revolution, within 15 January.

July uprising proclamation: Unifying or divisive?

Last month, leaders from the two youth-led organisations planned holding a programme for "Proclamation of the July Revolution" at the Shaheed Minar on 31 December with an open call for all anti-facist forces to unite, upholding the spirit of the uprising.

The "Mujibist" constitution of 1972 must be buried through the "Proclamation of the July Uprising", Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement told the press on 29 December. A draft of the declaration was sent to various active political parties that participated in the July-August uprising.

But the move came under criticism from major student bodies, like Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Union. Leaders of these organisations said such a declaration, coming five months after the mass movement, is "unnecessary" and might create a "one-sided narrative". 

Speaking to The Business Standard on 29 December, they said they were not invited by the Student Movement and the Citizens' Committee.

Nasir Uddin Nasir, general secretary of Chhatra Dal, said it appears to be a "politically motivated attempt" that would hinder the creation of an inclusive Bangladesh. "In other words, this is conflicting with the spirit of the July movement."

Even some members of the National Citizens Committee told TBS that they had not received clear details about who exactly had been invited to the event.

Meghmallar Basu, president of Chhatra Union's Dhaka University unit, said, "It is inappropriate to announce the proclamation five months after an uprising. There should have been at least some discussion and understanding with other political forces beforehand."

Amid the criticism, the government on 30 December night announced that it was planning to declare a proclamation on the basis of a national consensus.

"This declaration will be adopted in order to consolidate the people's unity, anti-fascist spirit and desire for state reform developed through the July uprising," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters that day.

The government's move prompted the Student Movement and the Citizens' Committee to backtrack from their decisions. They later held a March for Unity without declaring any proclamation but demanded that the government make the declaration within 15 January.

Later on 5 January, Shafiqul Alam at a press briefing announced that the interim government will hold discussions with political parties regarding the July proclamation.

'Political parties to decide the extent of reforms'

Speaking at today's press conference, Adviser Mahfuj also reiterated the government's position on state reforms and holding elections.

"The matter of national election depends on reforms. We will get reports from multiple reform commissions this month. We will hold talks with political parties after we get the reports. We will also discuss this with other stakeholders. The political parties will decide the extent of reforms we want," said the adviser.

"The extent of reforms will decide when the election will take place. The political parties will decide whether the reforms will be long-term, mid-term or short-term," he added.

Earlier, in a televised address to the nation marking the Victory Day on 16 December, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced that the next general election can be held between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026 after accomplishing necessary state reforms.

He also said a commission will be formed soon to build a national consensus, engaging with political parties.

'People not getting proper services as administration running local govt'

The common people are not getting proper services as the local government system is currently running through administration, Mahfuj said at today's press briefing.

He said, "The local government system is currently running through administration. As a result, common people are not getting proper civic services."

"In this context, the chief adviser spoke about the local government elections. But the matter will be decided based on political consensus.

Yesterday (8 January), during a meeting with European Investment Bank Vice President Nicola Beer at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, the chief adviser elaborated on the interim government plans to hold the elections.

He said the interim government is simultaneously preparing for local government elections and the upcoming general election.