Laying emphasis on motivating and inspiring people in favour of ‘Yes’ vote in upcoming national referendum, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof Ali Riaz on Thursday urged all to work unitedly to effectively utilise the opportunity to establish an accountable state.
“Such a big opportunity to reshape and bring a qualitative change of the state had not come in the last 54 years and we should not waste the chance for greater interest of the nation, particularly in order to establish a true humane and civilized state” Prof Riaz said while speaking as the chief guest at a broad-based view sharing meeting on upcoming referendum.
Held at Chattogram Stadium in the afternoon, officials from 104 upazilas of 11 districts under Chattogram Division participated in the meeting with Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin in the chair.
Representatives from various professions including teachers, journalists and NGO workers also attended the meeting.
Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (Consensus) Monir Haider and Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry Md Kamal Uddin addressed the meeting as special guests.
Prof Ali Riaz said implementation of July National Charter has been crucial for not only reshaping the future characteristic of the state, but also properly valuing the huge blood and sacrifices the nation made in freeing the country from the clutches of a fascist rule particularly in July Uprising in 2024.
In this context, he said although the July National Charter was printed in black ink, it was written in the blood of the July martyrs.
Except few disagreements, he said more than 30 political parties of the country have given their consent and reached a consensus on bringing and executing fundamental reforms into the state machinery as well as in the constitution and other key institutions including judiciary and Election Commission.
“So, there is no alternative to execution of July National Charter and as a conscious segment of the state, all public servants have to work and inspire people to cast ‘Yes’ vote in referendum” Prof. Riaz said, reminding them that “You are not only a public servant, at the same time citizen of the country”.
Terming the motivational campaign in favour of referendum and ‘Yes’ vote as part of their scared duty the state bestowed upon them, Prof Ali Riaz said, “As a public servant, you do not have any constitutional or legal bar in performing such job as you will virtually play role for greater interest of the nation, not for in favour of any particular party”.
Concentration and centralisation of all power on the hands of the Prime Minister, faulty selection process of the members of constitutional institutions and unlimited duration of a Prime Minister were some key reasons behind emerging autocratic and fascist rule in the country, Prof Riaz observed.
Speaking as special guest, Monir Haider said that July National Charter does not belong to or is not an agenda of any particular party or group, rather all political parties, legal and constitutional experts have prepared the charter through constructive debate in series of lengthy sessions.
He said deposed fascist forces have been carrying out orchestrated smear campaign and spreading propaganda on referendum to foil the national consensus.
DIG of Police Chattogram Range Ahsan Habib Palash, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, and Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mean also spoke at the meeting.
Earlier, another views-exchanging meeting was held at the same venue with the participation of Imams of around 1200 mosques under Chattogram Division.
