Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded an immediate revision of the recently published July Declaration, alleging that it reflects the ideology and intentions of a particular political party, rather than a broad national consensus.
Speaking at a discussion held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on Thursday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said, “There are widespread rumors in the political arena that the declaration expresses the vision of a specific party. This is unacceptable in a national declaration.”
Parwar acknowledged the significance of the July mass uprising of 2024, describing it as a historic event that should have been a turning point in Bangladesh’s political evolution.
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“The nation was waiting for the July revolution. It will be marked as an important chapter in our history. However, if the blood and sacrifice of hundreds go in vain, it may pave the way for a new wave of fascism,” he warned.
The Jamaat leader also criticised the manifesto for excluding key national events like Judicial killings, Pilkhana massacre in 2009, Shapla Chattar crackdown in 2013, and the role of teachers in the country’s political landscape.
“These events, and the sacrifices of teachers and islamic scholars, were ignored in the manifesto. The Chief Adviser-led declaration is incomplete and must be amended,” Parwar added.
He further cautioned that holding elections under the current system, without structural reforms, could lead to another era of authoritarian rule.
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He urged the authorities to organize the next national elections under a non-partisan government, in line with the legal framework of the ‘July Charter’.
The discussion event, titled “Contributions of Students, Teachers, and Citizens: What Needs to Be Done,” was organized by the Bangladesh Ideal Teachers Federation to commemorate the July Uprising.
Dr. M. Korban Ali presided over the event, with Professor ABM Fazlul Karim, general secretary of the Teachers Federation acting as moderator.
Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, secretary of Jamaat's Dhaka Metropolitan South unit, was also present as the special guest.