Adviser to the ministries of industries, housing and public works, Adilur Rahman Khan, has said those questioning the government’s role in campaigning for the upcoming referendum are “essentially fugitive forces”, accusing them of attempting to undermine the spirit of last year’s mass uprising.
Speaking to journalists on Monday after paying tribute at the July Memorial at Gurudayal Government College ground in Kishoreganj, Adilur Rahman Khan said the referendum had been arranged to implement the July Charter, which he described as a product of the sacrifices made during the July–August mass uprising.
He said the charter was framed through the initiative of activists and comrades who lost their lives during the movement and argued that opposing the referendum amounted to opposing the aspirations expressed during that period. According to him, groups that stood against the July uprising are now trying to create confusion among the public by questioning the referendum process.
Adilur Rahman Khan, who also advises the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, expressed confidence that voters would reject such narratives. He said the people of Bangladesh stood firmly with what he described as the “July caravan” and would demonstrate their support by voting “Yes” in the referendum scheduled for the 12th.
Describing the current administration as one that emerged in support of the mass uprising, he said the July Charter had been formulated with the participation of students and the wider public. He added that the government would continue to work alongside students and ordinary citizens to implement the charter’s provisions.
Outlining the political process following the referendum, Adilur Rahman Khan said a “Yes” vote would serve as an expression of public support, after which preferred candidates would be selected from the local level and sent to parliament. He said Bangladeshis had shown themselves to be politically conscious and capable of shaping history.
Referring to the ongoing campaign period, he noted that only two days remained for formal campaigning. He said he expected the country to unite in favour of the referendum, the July Charter, the changes brought about by the mass uprising and the protection of people’s rights once the campaign period ended.
He also said many individuals who supported what he termed fascism had fled the country, while others remained in hiding. Expressing optimism, he said fair and credible elections would be held in Kishoreganj and across other parts of Bangladesh.
Among those present at the programme were Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Islam Molla, Superintendent of Police Dr S M Farhad Hossain, district convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Hafez Ikram Hossain, July movement participants and officials from the district administration.
Later in the day, Adilur Rahman Khan joined a view-exchange meeting on the referendum with heads of government offices at the deputy commissioner’s conference room. He is also scheduled to attend further meetings aimed at raising awareness of the referendum with NGO representatives and women beneficiaries, alongside several programmes across different upazilas in the district.
