Civil society organisation Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) on Sunday said the government has shown hesitation and, in some cases, disregard in implementing the spirit of the July Uprising, warning that ignoring the people's aspirations could overshadow its achievements during the first four months in office.
The observations came at a roundtable discussion titled ‘Four Months of the Present Government Expectations, Achievements and the Way Forward’ held at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
Presenting a keynote paper on behalf of Sujan, the organisation's central coordinator, Dilip Kumar Sarkar, said the government's performance should be assessed on whether it has recognised the political and moral significance of the July Charter and taken concrete steps to implement it.
According to the paper, the government has yet to announce any clear roadmap, timeline or institutional process for implementing the charter or the people's mandate expressed through the mass uprising.
Sujan also criticised the government's silence on key reform proposals, including the formation of an upper house of parliament based on proportional representation and the establishment of a National Constitutional Council (NCC).
Speaking at the programme, Sujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said the 1972 Constitution had effectively changed in many respects through the people's verdict expressed in the mass uprising. He argued that meaningful reforms are necessary to prevent a return to old political practices.
The organisation, however, acknowledged several achievements of the government during its first four months, including the waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, the launch of family and farmer card programmes, the formation of a private sector advisory council, and successes in foreign policy and energy management.
Despite these achievements, Sujan expressed concern over delays in reforms, politically influenced appointments, weaknesses in the banking sector, unrealistic revenue targets, selective anti-corruption measures and the alleged political use of law enforcement agencies.
The organisation warned that the July Uprising was not merely about a change of government but a call for fundamental changes in governance and state institutions. Ignoring that mandate, it said, could quickly turn public hope into disappointment.
