July Charter’s political consensus goes beyond its legal basis, says Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said the July Charter was founded on political consensus, stressing the need for broader unity and dialogue among all stakeholders, including opposition parties, to safeguard democracy.

“Does the July National Charter, formulated during the interim government’s tenure, have any legal basis? No. But the political consensus behind it goes beyond its legal basis,” he said.

He made the remarks at a seminar titled “Constitutional Crisis in Post-Independence Bangladesh and BAKSAL”, the first in the “Democratic Journey” seminar series organised by the July Memorial Museum in the capital.

Salahuddin said unity among political stakeholders was essential to prevent the emergence of fascism or the rise of authoritarian rule in the future.

“We must close off the paths that could lead to such outcomes. That will be our greatest achievement. And for that, unity, unity and unity are what we need most,” he added.

The minister said constitutional reforms should reflect the aspirations of the July mass uprising and the expectations of the younger generation, with particular emphasis on establishing institutional checks and balances to ensure that no individual or government could exercise unchecked power.

The seminar was chaired by Ehasan Mahamud, director general of the July Memorial Museum, while former interim government Law Adviser Asif Nazrul delivered the keynote address.

Firoz Ahmed, a former member of the Constitution Reform Commission, and Supreme Court lawyer Habibur Rahman also took part in the discussion.