In Dhaka, Bangladesh, thousands of Islamist supporters gathered on Tuesday to demand the interim government legalize the ‘July National Charter,’ a proposed framework for political reforms. The rally, organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami party and seven other political groups, emphasized that the upcoming general election, slated for early 2026, cannot proceed without a legally binding roadmap for constitutional changes. The charter, named after the July 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aims to introduce checks and balances to prevent authoritarianism, including term limits for legislators and measures to combat corruption. Currently nonbinding, the charter requires a referendum to become part of the constitution, a process only Parliament can initiate in Bangladesh’s parliamentary democracy. The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, proposed the roadmap following Hasina’s removal in August 2023. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has endorsed the charter, while Hasina’s Awami League remains banned, and she faces trial for alleged crimes during last year’s uprising. Supporters at the rally insisted that the 2026 election must be conducted under a proportional representation system and that the charter must be legally binding. Meanwhile, a special tribunal is set to announce a verdict date for Hasina’s trial on Thursday, as Bangladesh’s political future remains uncertain under Yunus’s leadership.
Islamists in Bangladesh demand a referendum on the national charter ahead of a general election
