Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Prof Mia Golam Parwar on Thursday said the BNP would be seen as a party that had broken its promise to the nation if it failed to implement the July Charter in full.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "July National Charter and Referendum: Government's Responsibility and Our Course of Action in Realising Public Aspirations" at the Dinajpur Shilpakala Academy auditorium, Parwar alleged that the BNP had retreated from its earlier commitment to constitutional reforms.

He said the BNP had earlier pledged to form a constitutional reform commission if it came to power, but was now talking about constitutional amendments instead of reforms.

"They had promised constitutional reform, but now they are speaking of amendments. That means they have failed to honour their commitment to the nation," he said.

Parwar also alleged that although the BNP now claims it will implement the July Charter "to the letter," the party had already registered a note of dissent on parts of the proposed charter.

"If the sections covered by the note of dissent are excluded, there will be little left of the historic July Charter," he said.

He further argued that if the charter were passed only through Parliament, it could later be struck down by the courts. Stressing the need for a referendum, he said the entire outcome of such a vote must be implemented.

Parwar also compared separating the issues of a national election and a referendum to "saving one of two twin children while killing the other."

The seminar was chaired by Dinajpur district Jamaat Ameer Principal Anisur Rahman.

Among others, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Golam Rabbani MP, Prof Mahbubur Rahman Belal MP, Barrister Najibur Rahman MP, JAGPA Chairman Rashed Prodhan, former Islami Chhatra Shibir central president Rajibur Rahman Palash, former upazila chairman Aftab Uddin Molla, Advocate Mainul Alam, Dinajpur Journalists' Union President Sadakat Ali Khan, NCP Dinajpur Convener Shamsul Moktadir, Jamaat's city Ameer Sirajus Salehin, and others addressed the programme. The keynote paper was presented by Muhaddis Dr Enamul Haque.