The July Charter Is Our Charter for Survival": Hasnat Abdullah

Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer of the southern region of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has stated that the July Charter is not a poem, but rather "our charter for survival." Referring to it as the “Second Schedule of Bangladesh,” he emphasized the urgent need for its implementation.

He made these remarks at a street rally in front of the main gate of the Islamic University at around 10:30 PM on Wednesday (July 9), as part of the ‘July March to Rebuild the Nation’ campaign marking the anniversary of the July Uprising.

Hasnat Abdullah announced that they will gather again at the Shaheed Minar on August 3 to demand the July Charter. He warned that if the charter is not granted, "there will be no turning back." Addressing Dr. Yunus directly, he said, “This July Charter is not poetry, not political rhetoric — it is our charter for survival going forward… so the July Charter must be fulfilled.”

To political leaders, Abdullah declared, “We will make politics difficult for the politicians — and we’ve already shown that we can.” He pledged to work collectively and respect differences of opinion. “We will ensure freedom of dissent. In our society, there will be no access for fascism, or for those who want to suppress our freedom of expression. There will be freedom to wear the niqab — and freedom not to wear it,” he said.

Speaking about the media, he stated, “We know we cannot place ourselves above your questions, because we are entering politics at a time when every phone is a media outlet.” Referring to a recent incident, he said, “Didn’t we challenge the media just a few days ago? They have investments worth billions. But they couldn’t stand up to our mobile phones worth just 12,000 taka. They’ve had to issue an apology. Each of us is a media outlet. Each of us is a journalist.”

The rally was also attended by NCP central convenor Nahid Islam; joint convenor Nasiruddin Patwari; chief organizer (northern region) Sarjis Alam — who remarked, "If it’s not Shapla, it can’t be the Sheaf of Paddy either" — joint member secretary Tasnim Zara; and Mokhlesur Rahman Sweet, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Islamic University chapter. Other central party leaders, student activists, and general students were also present.