Nahid warns of another mass uprising if July Charter not implemented

Highlights:

• Nahid warns of mass uprising over July Charter delay
• Accuses government of ignoring the referendum verdict
• Criticises BNP over its stance on democracy and constitutional reform
• Calls for unity to tackle corruption, unemployment and extortion

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has warned that the party’s movement could escalate into a mass uprising if the government fails to implement the July National Charter in line with the referendum verdict.

Speaking as a special guest at a divisional rally organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance in Barishal today (18 July), Nahid, also the opposition chief whip, said the alliance was holding programmes across the country and would conclude with a rally in Dhaka.

“If the government does not implement the July Charter based on the referendum verdict before then, we will be compelled to move from a mass movement to a mass uprising. At this moment, we do not want to announce tougher programmes, but the government is gradually pushing the situation in that direction,” he added.

The rally demanded implementation of the referendum verdict, relief from public suffering, control of commodity prices, improvement of the transport system and the overall development of the southern region.

Nahid also criticised the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, alleging that although the government campaigned in favour of the referendum, it had yet to implement the July Charter despite the outcome.

He further claimed that BNP had never genuinely stood for democracy and had participated in the movement only to return to power. “Since the election, the BNP had stopped discussing constitutional reforms and its previously announced 31-point reform agenda.”

Referring to the government’s constitutional reform efforts, the opposition chief whip said people would not accept what he described as a “farce” in the name of constitutional amendments.

Calling for unity, Nahid urged all forces that participated in the 2024 July Uprising to work together to address unemployment, electricity shortages, border security, corruption and extortion, and to safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty.