Following the ouster of the Awami League on August 5, 2024, through a student-led uprising, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus formed 11 reform commissions starting August 8.
Based on their reports, a National Consensus Commission was formed to draft the July Charter in consultation with political parties.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the signed charter will be unveiled in June.
Political leaders said the commission pledged to finalize the charter by July 15, with hopes of presenting it by the end of the month.
However, questions remain about its effectiveness in building a welfare-oriented state—especially given the BNP's critical stance on issues like term limits for the prime minister, balance of power, judicial independence, non-partisan law enforcement, and genuine parliamentary representation.
This divide is reflected in the differing views of pro-government parties like the NCP, Jamaat, and other Islamist groups, some of whom oppose key aspects of the BNP’s reform proposals.
Govt hopeful about July Charter
In his June 6 address to the nation, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the government hopes to present a July Charter based on political consensus by next month. He described it as a promise to build a welfare-oriented state, listing the reform proposals all parties agree on. By signing it, parties will commit to implementing those reforms.
Soon after taking office, Yunus formed 11 reform commissions covering public administration, judiciary, anti-corruption, police, elections, constitution, labour, women’s affairs, local government, media, and health.
A National Consensus Commission, led by Yunus, was later formed with members from these bodies to draft the charter.
Yunus said the government is committed to implementing the most urgent reforms outlined in the charter, while future governments can carry forward the rest. He stressed the importance of unified and determined action to showcase Bangladesh’s renewed image to the world.
Calling the consensus effort bold and unprecedented, he said the long hours of televised negotiations between all parties will be remembered in political history. He thanked the parties for their patience and cooperation and expressed hope of completing the charter soon.
Yunus added that the process could give rise to a new political culture. If this continues through the upcoming election, he believes Bangladesh will be better prepared to tackle future political crises. He called on all citizens—from students to farmers—to help ensure a fair, peaceful election and lay the foundation for a stronger future.
How much consensus around July Charter?
A key member of the Consensus Commission said that without genuine commitment—particularly from the BNP—even minimal reform efforts could backfire. He suggested the party should clearly state its support for reforms where consensus exists.
A senior BNP leader said that a sincere agreement between the government and political parties would be a positive step. Otherwise, the charter risks becoming a future flashpoint for political disputes.
“A July or national charter based on mutual trust could carry a powerful political message for the future. But if it's forced, it won’t hold up,” he said.
BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said: We have made it clear: implement the urgent reforms now, and let elected lawmakers decide on issues needing public input. We have already communicated this to the government.”
At the second round of discussions on June 3, Professor Ali Riaz said the national charter would be based on revised proposals, shaped by political feedback.
“There won’t be full consensus on everything. Only agreed points will be included in the charter—others will go into party manifestos for voters to decide,” he said.
He expressed hope that the charter would be finalized by July and urged all parties to aim for at least a basic level of agreement.
Ganosamhati Andolan leader Zonayed Saki said the government had proposed a July 15 timeline.
“We’re ready to compromise to reach consensus,” he said, adding that agreed-upon points should go into the charter while unresolved ones can be debated during elections.
Professor Badiul Alam Majumdar, another commission member, said the charter's final name has not been decided yet. “We’re still in the second phase of discussions. The details will be clearer once things are finalized.”
BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan added that BNP had already proposed 31 reforms. “If the government’s commissions recognize and integrate those, it would be in the nation’s best interest,” he said.
Silent disagreements among parties
Various political parties and student leaders involved in the uprising say that the NCP faction of the student leaders is primarily focused on the July Charter. While they show interest, the main political force, BNP, firmly rejects equating the 2024 uprising with the 1971 Liberation War.
According to a reliable BNP source, although student leaders were given the party's opinion, their interest in the proclamation remains lukewarm.
Additionally, nationalist, progressive, and left-leaning parties also oppose drawing parallels between the 1971 independence struggle and the events of 2024.
As a result, discussions or engagement around the July Proclamation remain limited from their side.
NCP, student groups at forefront of push
A close source within the interim government said that Professor Muhammad Yunus reportedly expressed frustration when students pressured him to announce the July proclamation.
He even brought up the issue during a meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna — a sentiment echoed in his most recent address.
On the eve of Eid on July 6, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said in his election roadmap address: "You may recall that the students who led and participated in the July uprising announced a plan to issue a July proclamation. I was also invited to attend. I said it would be better if such a proclamation were made collectively, involving all political figures and representatives of civil society."
Sarwar Tushar, joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said: "The government has not given any clear position on what’s happening with the July Proclamation. No official has contacted us about it."
He added: "However, since the legal adviser mentioned a 30 working-day deadline, we are waiting to see if that promise is kept. If it is not issued within this period, we will take a firm stance — even protest, if necessary, to push our demand."
Back on May 10, following an advisory council meeting, Legal Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul told reporters that progress was being made and the proclamation would likely be released within 30 working days.
On December 29, 2024, student leaders from the anti-discrimination movement formally announced their intention to issue the July Proclamation — aiming to preserve the spirit of unity, anti-fascist resistance, and a vision for state reform.
They initially planned to unveil the document at the Central Shaheed Minar on December 31.
Two key points in the draft proclamation were the characterization of the 1972 Constitution as a "Mujibist Constitution," and the declaration of its “burial” alongside rendering the "Nazi-like Awami League" obsolete.
The following night, on December 30, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam held an urgent press briefing at the state guesthouse and stated that the July Proclamation would be prepared based on national consensus.
After this announcement, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement groups expressed uncertainty about releasing their version of the proclamation.
NCP leader Sarjis Alam said their plan to announce the proclamation of the July revolution at the Shaheed Minar was postponed in view of the government's statement.
Instead, they saw the government's willingness to draft its own July Proclamation as a positive step. On December 31, 2024, they organized a “March for Unity” and set January 15 as the deadline for the proclamation. Between January 11–15, they carried out outreach and leaflet campaigns in support of it.
On January 16, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with the BNP and other political parties, including July uprising participants, at the Foreign Service Academy. There, he told political leaders that although students had urged him to participate in the July declaration at Shaheed Minar, he declined. He reiterated that the August 5 uprising occurred through unity, and that the proclamation must also be a collective effort. He repeated this message in his Eid-ul-Azha address to the nation on June 6.
On June 2, after another meeting with the chief adviser at the Foreign Service Academy, NCP convener Nahid Islam said: “The July Proclamation must be issued within the 30 working days the government promised.” He also made it clear that they do not want a roadmap without prior reforms.
In response to the chief adviser’s Eid speech, Nahid stated: “Once the July charter, proclamation, and accountability process are completed, elections could be held in April. But first, we want a clear outline for reforms.”
When asked, Rashed Khan, general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, said: "We also support the July Proclamation. But it must include acknowledgment of both the martyrs and the injured of the July movement, as well as the 15-year anti-fascist struggle that preceded it."
He added: "The uprising didn’t come out of nowhere. It was the result of a long movement for voting rights and the 2018 quota reform protests. Everyone’s contribution must be recognized. Only then can a new Bangladesh truly emerge."
Nasir Uddin, general secretary of Chhatra Dal, said the July Proclamation should be based on consensus among all political parties.
"What will be included must be finalized first — especially the democratic struggles of the past 15 years and the issues of enforced disappearances and killings," he added.
AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju said: "We were asked for feedback by the student groups and we gave it. Now it is up to the government to release the proclamation."
