Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said the reform commission reports he received are highly significant, aiming to establish a consensus-based charter for a new Bangladesh that will guide elections and cannot be abandoned.
Earlier, members of the reform commissions handed their reports to the chief adviser at his office in Tejgaon.
The heads of the Election System Reform Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission, Police Reform Commission, and Constitution Reform Commission—Badiul Alam Majumdar, Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, and Ali Riaz respectively—presented the reports.
Other commission members were also present.
Addressing them afterwards, Yunus said: “This is not just a formality; it is a historic moment. Various committees are formed, reports are published, and formalities take place, but today’s event is far beyond those. This event will remain part of history because these commissions were born out of the flow of history.”
Referring to the rise of a nation that had been destroyed, the chief adviser said: “From that emergence, history has been created, and today’s event is an integral part of that history. These reports are not isolated; they are interconnected with the broader narrative.”
“These reports that we have received today represent a significant exercise for our country, and no one can deny that,” he added.
Addressing the commission members, the chief adviser said: “We entrusted you with the task of laying the framework for building a new Bangladesh. The dream remains alive, and the outlines of that dream must now be presented. This is not the end; it is the beginning of a chapter.
“The journey of realizing that dream and the uprising it sparked starts today. A significant portion of what we aim to achieve will be reflected in these reports.”
“Through these, we will initiate discussions with everyone to see if their hearts are aligned, if the commitments are being fulfilled. You have provided the foundation for these discussions,” Yunus added.
Dr Yunus further said: “Through these, a consensus will emerge, and a large segment of society will agree. Otherwise, what kind of dream did we envision? We envisioned a dream, but if the people are not part of it, that cannot be. The purpose of this discussion is to evaluate how much of that dream has been brought here. This is not something imposed from outside; it is something born from within.”
He also said that the commission members would lead the discussions required to establish consensus in the future.
“Since you have envisioned this dream on behalf of the people, the challenge is how their dreams will merge with yours. Through this, we aim to create a charter of uprising—a charter for a new Bangladesh, based on consensus. Elections will happen, and everything will proceed, but the charter will remain.
“This charter will endure as part of history, as a national commitment. This is not a partisan commitment. We hope that all parties will sign on to this charter.”
He continued: “This is a declaration for Bangladesh and the Bengalee nation—a declaration that we will carry forward with us. We will implement it as quickly and extensively as possible.
“The future elections will also be based on this charter. Even the next government should uphold this charter and affirm that we are adhering to it. No matter what happens, we must not let it slip away. Otherwise, the continuity of this dream will be lost. We want the continuity and realization of this dream.”
He emphasized: “Elections will be part of this charter, and it will be a consensus-based election. Otherwise, the charter will be lost. Therefore, this is a matter of utmost importance.”
