July uprising proclamation: Unifying or divisive?
About the July proclamation, Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the National Citizens’ Committee, said the text was still being revised and it will represent the future of Bangladesh
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee are going to hold 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.
But major student bodies, like Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir and Chhatra Union, will not participate in the event as the leaders of these organisations say such a declaration, coming five months after the mass movement, is "unnecessary" and might create a "one-sided narrative".
They also said they were yet to receive any invitation or get any draft of the proclamation.
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However, at a press conference today (29 December), Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said the draft of the declaration has already been sent to various active political parties that participated in the July-August uprising.
Making such a declaration five months after the event is "unnecessary and irrelevant". Based on information gathered through the media, he argued that 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.
Besides, efforts are underway to gather opinions from intellectuals, writers, civil society, and expatriates, he added. "We are trying to make the declaration in a language that resonates with the public."
He further explained that the declaration will be universal and out of any banner.
The "Mujibist" constitution of 1972 must be buried through the "Proclamation of the July Uprising", he told the press, adding "The Second Republic is a legal matter. We are not going to deal with that issue now."
Hannan Masud, chief organiser of the movement, said they will just announce the proclamation and "it is the responsibility of the government to incorporate it into the constitution and declare the Second Republic."
When asked about who would participate in the 31 December programme, Masud said everyone who backed the revolution will be there, including advisers, government officials, businesspeople, students and workers.
About the July proclamation, Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the National Citizens' Committee, said the text was still being revised and it will represent the future of Bangladesh.
"We have only crossed one stage of the revolution. The proclamation should have been declared earlier."
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. The declaration risks becoming a "one-sided narrative", like the post-1971 Liberation War events.
In response to another question, Sarjis said, "Neither the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement nor the Citizens' Committee will become a political party. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will remain a symbol of our unity during the July uprising, a unique platform; it will never be a political party."
No clear info
Nasir Uddin Nasir, general secretary of Chhatra Dal, the student wing of BNP, told The Business Standard last night that they had not received any invitations yet, and had no plans to participate in the programme on 31 December.
He said making such a declaration five months after the event is "unnecessary and irrelevant". Based on information gathered through the media, he argued that 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," he added.
Even some members of the National Citizens Committee told TBS that they have not received clear details about who exactly has been invited for the event.
However, they were aware that political parties had been invited, but it is unclear whether civil servants, military personnel, or government officials will be attending.
Manjurul Islam, president of Chhatra Shibir, told TBS, "We have not received any formal invitation yet, and we have not been given any clear information. Moreover, we have our annual central member conference at Suhrawardy Udyan on that day, which could run late into the evening."
Meghmallar Basu, president of Chhatra Union's Dhaka University unit, said they too had not received any invitation from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
"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," added Basu.
He noted that the declaration risks becoming a "one-sided narrative", like the post-1971 Liberation War events. He explained the 1972 Constitution failed to reflect the essence of the liberation struggle, instead embodying the ideology of a single political party.
He warned that the July declaration would also likely end up being a party-centric narrative.
