Stay alert against rift over ‘July Declaration’: Salahuddin to govt
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday urged the interim government to remain alert to ensure that no rift is created in the anti-fascist unity over the ‘July Declaration’.
Talking to reporters after attending a meeting between the Chief Adviser and political parties and other forces at the Foreign Service Academy, the BNP leader said he raised the question at the meeting of whether a declaration for the July mass uprising was necessary after five and a half months had elapsed.
“If any political document becomes a historical record, we will certainly respect it. But we have suggested including all concerned parties and taking their opinions into account when formulating such a document. We have requested the Chief Adviser and all relevant advisers to pay attention to this matter and take appropriate steps to ensure that no rift is created in national unity and no confusion arises among us,” the BNP leader said.
He said it is now the biggest challenge for the nation to turn the national unity formed through the July-August mass uprising against fascism into a mass unity and nurture that unity within the country’s political culture and practice it.
The BNP leader said the nation must maintain this unity and move forward by upholding it. “As part of our effort, we want to issue an inclusive political statement with all anti-fascist political parties. We must ensure that no fascist forces or their cohorts can sow the seeds of division within us."
Salahuddin said he, on behalf of the BNP, attended the meeting and engaged in discussions in response to the Chief Adviser’s call.
He said they provided their suggestions and thoughts on governance and various other matters they deemed necessary.
In response to a question, Salahuddin Ahmed said discussions took place regarding the July mass uprising declaration, and the leaders of all political parties shared their views.
“We questioned whether there was actually any need for the proclamation of the July mass uprising after five and a half months. If so, the political, historical, and legal significance of the declaration must be determined. We have to be alert so that no rift is created in anti-fascist unity over this declaration,” he said.
Responding to another question, Salahuddin said, "We have given various suggestions regarding the preparation of political documents."
Asked whether BNP had any objections to the declaration, Salahuddin avoided the question.
Earlier, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said all political parties have reached a consensus about an inclusive “July Declaration” recognising the contributions of all parties and forces that participated in the recent mass uprising.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, he also said a work plan would be worked out soon regarding the formation of the July Declaration based on consensus.
Dr Asif said leaders of all political parties and forces involved in the July mass uprising, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefajat-e-Islam, Ganatantra Mancha, the Anti-Discrimination Movement, and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, attended the meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yuns at the Foreign Service Academy.