Summary:
- Student organizations announce nationwide campaign from January 6-11, 2025, to promote July Proclamation through leaflet distribution and rallies across educational institutions.
- Movement leaders set January 15 deadline for interim government to issue July Proclamation, threatening stronger actions if demands aren’t met.
- Initial plans to declare proclamation on December 31 were changed to “March of Unity” after government announced its own initiative to prepare the document.
- Jatiya Nagorik Committee and Anti-discrimination Student Movement have prepared a draft proclamation and offered assistance to the government.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Jatiya Nagorik Committee have announced a six-day nationwide campaign to build public support for the “July Proclamation” across Bangladesh. The campaign will run from January 6 to January 11, 2025.
Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, made the announcement during a press conference at the movement’s central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor area. The campaign will include leaflet distribution, rallies, and public outreach activities focused on educational institutions and professional groups.
The announcement comes after the student movement set a January 15 deadline for the interim government to issue the July Proclamation. During the “March for Unity” rally at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar on December 31, movement leaders warned they would be “compelled to take to the streets again” if their demands were not met by the deadline.
The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, had previously announced its intention to prepare the proclamation based on national consensus. However, Abdullah stated that “no visible progress” has been made despite the government’s initiative.
This development follows a significant shift in plans when the student movement abandoned its original intention to declare their version of the proclamation on December 31. Instead, they opted for the “March for Unity” after the government announced its own initiative to prepare the document.
The proposed proclamation has sparked controversy, particularly regarding its stance on the 1972 constitution. Movement leaders have indicated their intention to replace the existing constitution, prompting sharp criticism from various political quarters. Mirza Abbas, a senior BNP leader, expressed concern about the students’ position, stating that “the Constitution was written in 1972 at the cost of the blood of 3 million martyrs.”
The student movement and the National Citizens’ Committee have suggested that the next general election should serve as a constituent assembly election, where elected representatives would draft a new constitution while simultaneously serving as legislators.
Nasiruddin Patwary of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee has indicated that the organizations may announce more stringent programs if there are delays in issuing the proclamation, highlighting the growing pressure on the interim government to address this crucial political development.
Source: TBS News
