The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) in a statement said that despite signing the July Charter, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has consistently opposed the implementation of reforms, showing the thumbs down to the aspirations of the youth and new generation.
The notice was published on Sunday night, signed by DUCSU Vice-president Abu Shadik Kayem, General Secretary SM Farhad and Assistant General Secretary Mohiuddin Khan, all elected from the Jamaat e Islami student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed panel in elections last September.
The notice states the July Revolution was a combined revolution of the country’s people, against the discriminations, injustice and fascist power structure. It said the aim of this revolution was not only changing the government but also for the basic state reforms, breaking the misuse of power, building independent and strong constitutional institutions, assuring transparency of administrative appointments and building a discrimination-free, fair and new Bangladesh.
"But regrettably, despite signing the July Charter, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has consistently opposed the implementation of reforms, showing utter disregard for the aspirations of the young generation. In particular, the BNP has resisted key structural reforms that are directly tied to the dreams and demands of students and the general public," it said.
The statement goes on to say, "By opposing proposals aimed at ensuring transparent and politically neutral appointments to constitutional bodies such as the Public Service Commission (PSC), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Ombudsman, and Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the BNP seeks to maintain its monopoly over power. The discriminatory employment structure that originally triggered the July Uprising remains unchallenged, as the BNP’s resistance to reforming it effectively denies the legitimate rights of the new generation."
The notice further states, the BNP’s opposition to the formation of a Judicial Appointment Commission, its objection to amending Article 70, its resistance to modern democratic proposals—such as separating the roles of Prime Minister and party chief—its obstruction of depoliticized elections within the legal profession, and its rejection of an independent criminal investigation service, have together created major obstacles to essential state reforms and the future-building efforts of the youth. In doing so, the BNP essentially denies the spirit of the July Revolution and obstructs the nation’s march toward building a ‘New Bangladesh’.
"These reforms are not designed to serve any individual or partisan interest; rather, they aim to establish fundamental state restructuring and to build modern, democratic, and strong national institutions. After the July Revolution, the moral responsibility of rebuilding the nation lies with the students and the people from all walks of life. Therefore, the final decision on these reforms must come from the people themselves. A national referendum is the most appropriate means to secure the people’s mandate—through which citizens will determine which reform proposals truly serve the country’s best interests," added the notice.
If the opposition of any political party or institutional influence becomes an obstacle to state-building reforms, the students and people will stand firmly to overcome it. Because the July Revolution was not merely a movement to change rulers or governments—it was a struggle to dismantle a fascist structure and rebuild a just and transparent state, stated the notice.