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July Charter differences must be resolved in parliament, not through marches: Rizvi
Published : Sunday, 1 November, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Observer Online Report
BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said differences over the implementation of the July National Charter and the referendum results must be resolved through discussions in parliament rather than street demonstrations.
"BNP has never rejected the referendum results or the implementation of the July Charter. However, there are some notes of dissent, not only from BNP but also from several other parties, which need to be addressed. In a democratic environment, every problem should be resolved in parliament through discussions, not through long marches," he said.
Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers' Forum marking its 35th founding anniversary at Advocate Sanaullah Mia Hall of the Dhaka Bar Association on Sunday.
Referring to demands for the acceptance of a seven-point charter, Rizvi questioned the threat of returning to a one-point movement if the demands were not met.
He said BNP had carried out an uninterrupted movement for 17 years, enduring repression and persecution, with many party leaders and activists losing limbs and some suffering blindness from police shotgun pellets.
"Has the streets been handed over to you as inherited property, allowing you to occupy the field of movement while we remain confined to our homes?" he said.
On the implementation of the July Charter, the BNP leader said its provisions could be introduced through constitutional amendments to strengthen democracy.
He said all political parties could work together in parliament to pass the necessary amendments with a two-thirds majority.
Describing the Constitution as a nation's autobiography, Rizvi said amendments over time reflected different stages of a country's history. He also called for a clear explanation of what was meant by reform.
Recalling the role of lawyers during previous periods of political repression, he said their collective protests against remand orders had sometimes provided relief to those facing legal proceedings.
He also alleged that former prime minister Khaleda Zia had been denied justice during her trial, claiming that arguments and documents presented by her lawyers had been ignored. He questioned the treatment of her health and humanitarian needs during her imprisonment.
Referring to the current government's programmes, Rizvi said initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, expatriate cards and health cards were aimed at strengthening social protection.
He also mentioned proposed allowances for imams, muezzins and religious officials serving temples and churches as part of the social safety net.
Rizvi alleged that attempts were being made to destabilise the country and claimed that activists of the Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League were among those involved in incidents of arson targeting vehicles and police boxes and attacks on police.
He said BNP would work to protect the country's independence, sovereignty and civil liberties, expressing his party's commitment to building a prosperous and democratic Bangladesh under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.
The programme was chaired by Khorshed Mia Alam, convener of the Dhaka Bar Unit of the Nationalist Lawyers' Forum, and conducted by its member secretary, Nihar Hossain Faruk. More than 1,000 lawyers attended the event.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
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