Govt moves to prepare proclamation of July uprising based on national consensus

The interim government has taken the initiative to prepare a proclamation of the July mass uprising based on 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 tonight (30 December) in front of the State Guest House Jamuna.

The proclamation will be prepared based on the views of all participating students, political parties and stakeholders, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led the uprising, he said.

The proclamation will reflect the context of the July uprising, the basis of unity and the intention of the people, said Shafiqul.

"We hope that with the participation of all, this declaration will be unanimously prepared and presented to the nation within a few days," he said.

The press secretary's announcement comes a day before the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee are scheduled to hold a programme for "Proclamation of the July Revolution" at the Shaheed Minar with an open call for all anti-fascist 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.

The press secretary yesterday clarified that the interim government was not involved in the students' initiative.