The tune of unity will continue till polls: Prof Yunus

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday said that the tune of unity was rang by signing the July National Charter, and this tune will continue till the election. 

"Those who signed should sit in a discussion again. Decide how to make the election proper. There is nothing to gain from a half-hearted election," he said in his speech after signing the historic document. The signing ceremony was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Friday afternoon. 

He described the signing moment of the  July Memorial Charter-2025 as a 'great day' and sees it as the beginning of 'New Bangladesh.'     

"It's a great day. It's the beginning of New Bangladesh," he said in his speech.

Prof Yunus, also the chief of the National Consensus Commission, thanked the politicians, stressing that they not only set an example for the nation but also for the world.

"With this, they took the nation to a new height," Prof Yunus said.

The Chief Adviser remembered those who sacrificed their lives during the July Uprising and those who were injured with due respect and said they, in fact, brought this opportunity for the nation. "Let us remember them."

The Historic July Charter was officially signed at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Vice President of the National Consensus Commission Professor Ali Riaz signed the charter, joined by several other political leaders.

Earlier, the much-hyped event began with the singing of the national anthem.

The proceedings were conducted by the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant, Monir Haider.

The 40-page dossier outlines the political history of Bangladesh, covering the British colonial period, the historic Language Movement of 1952, the education movements of 1962, the autonomy movement of 1966, and the mass uprising of 1969. 

It also recalls the 1970 general elections, the Liberation War of 1971, and the establishment of a one-party state through constitutional amendments in 1975.

The charter noted that "following various political developments, the country returned to democracy through the parliamentary elections of 1979, initiated by the reintroduction of a multi-party system in 1978. However, that democratic path was short-lived."

It further highlights that between 2009 and 2024, state institutions were dominated by autocratic practices favouring certain individuals, families, and groups.

The charter criticized the three consecutive controversial elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024, saying they undermined the electoral system, politicized the judiciary, law enforcement and public administration and facilitated corruption.

The charter also reflects on the persistent democratic movements of the last 16 years, including the road safety movement in 2018, the anti-quota movement, and the student-led anti-discrimination movement, culminating in the broad-based mass uprising against fascism in July 2024.

Finally, the charter contains a seven-point commitment, urging political party representatives to sign it and uphold the will of the people expressed in the July 2024 uprising, grounded in democratic principles and national consensus.