July national charter will safeguard religious freedom and equality: Ali Riaz

The proposed July National Charter will guarantee religious freedom for all citizens and lay the foundation for a society based on equality, human dignity and social justice, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Ali Riaz has said.

Speaking on Tuesday at a views-exchange meeting with members of the Hindu community in Dhaka, Ali Riaz said the Charter aims to ensure that the state does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of religious belief and that all citizens enjoy equal rights under the law.

The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust organised the event, which took place at the National Museum auditorium and focused on referendum campaigning and voter motivation.

Ali Riaz said Bangladesh now stands at a critical juncture following years of political repression, describing the country’s democratic journey as one marked by sacrifice. He asserted the emergence of a rare opportunity to rebuild the state through meaningful reform and cautioned against squandering it.

According to Ali Riaz, comprehensive structural changes are essential to restore democratic governance after what he described as prolonged authoritarian control. He urged voters to support the proposed reforms by voting “Yes” in the referendum, arguing that public participation is crucial to reshaping the future of the country.

He said the Constitution clearly states that all powers of the Republic belong to the people, but in practice citizens have long been deprived of that authority. He added that conscience should guide participation in the referendum to prevent future Bangladesh from repeating the past's failures.

Ali Riaz also addressed longstanding concerns over the role of the President, saying that, although the office is constitutionally significant, decision-making power has historically been concentrated in the hands of the Prime Minister. While the Constitution assigns the President responsibilities, such as appointing the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, he said other key appointments—including the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission Secretariat, and members of the judiciary—have effectively been determined by the head of government.

Turning to Article 70 of the Constitution, Ali Riaz described the provision as a major barrier to democratic development, saying it restricts members of parliament from expressing independent views. Under proposed reforms, he said, lawmakers would remain bound by party discipline on finance bills and votes of confidence but would be allowed greater freedom of expression on other legislative matters.

Another Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Monir Haidar, attended the meeting as a special guest. He said the core objective of Bangladesh’s Proclamation of Independence was to establish social justice and uphold human values with dignity.

Monir Haidar said the vision for the country is one in which a child’s identity is shaped by merit, knowledge and effort rather than background or belief. He also rejected claims circulating ahead of the referendum that a “Yes” vote would lead to the removal of religious references, including “Bismillah”, from the Constitution, calling such assertions false and misleading.

The meeting was chaired by Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Vice-Chairman Tapan Chandra Majumder. Religious Affairs Secretary Md Kamal Uddin and Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Secretary Devendra Nath Uran also addressed the gathering.

The July National Charter is expected to play a central role in the government’s reform agenda, with officials portraying the referendum as a defining moment for Bangladesh’s democratic and constitutional future.