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Speakers, including politicians, a researcher, and a lawyer, on Saturday urged the interim government to work for building a society based on equality, human dignity, and mass people’s sovereignty, echoing the spirit of the July mass uprising in 2024.

The demands were made at a roundtable titled ‘Equality, human dignity, and social justice in the proposed constitutional reform: what does the Quran say?’ organised by the Quran Path Andolan at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Writer and columnist Farhad Mazhar said that the recent ideological and cultural divisions among youths — especially within the National Citizen Party — are deeply concerning.

‘Earlier, it was a conflict between secularists and Islamists. Now, we see divisions even among Islamists, which is dangerous,’ he said.

Noting that efforts are going on to suppress student movements through propaganda, he said the spirit of the uprising was the return of power to the people — not the imposition of any singular ideology or religion.

‘The struggle was against fascism, which can exist in both secular and religious forms,’ Mazhar added.

He, referring to the interim government, said, ‘You made a mistake on August 8 by taking oath to uphold Hasina’s constitution without demanding its abolition.’

Mazhar also said the July uprising was part of a larger anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movement, urging youth to reject the dominant Western narratives imposed through colonial education systems.

About recent controversies surrounding the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, Mazhar denounced the use of derogatory language against women, saying, ‘If you follow Islamic etiquette, you cannot call any woman a prostitute. Those who do should be punished first.’

Didarul Bhuiyan of Rashtra Sanskar Andolan explained how public dissatisfaction over constitutional flaws and the lack of state structure reform culminated in the mass uprising.

He, however, expressed frustration, saying that the BNP, NCP, and interim government failed to fulfill the people’s expectations.

He also expressed concern over corruption allegations involving student representatives in the government. ‘If this government fails, the uprising itself risks failure,’ he warned.

Samantha Sharmin, senior joint convenor of the National Citizen Party, said, ‘We may enter into a new ear through a proclamation of the July revolution but a dillydally is going on over the proclamation.’   

‘We understand from the reluctance that there is no will of stakeholders and politicians to change the basic power structure of the state,’ she said.

About the judiciary, she said, ‘Over the past 53 years, every regime has used the courts for personal gains, but we have to overcome this.’

‘Justice, integrity, and human dignity have been given importance in the constitution, but we are lagging behind in terms of these fundamental issues,’ she added.

Referring to the Quran and the Hadith, she also stressed ensuring equality, human dignity, and social justice in the country.

Lawyer Abu Hena Razzaki stressed that no reform could succeed without a change in our mindset. ‘Laws alone won’t bring changes. We must reform our collective consciousness,’ he observed.

Daily ‘Desher Patra’ editor Rufaidah Panni, highlighting the historical roles of women, criticised efforts to confine women to homes.

‘True progress cannot be achieved without guaranteeing women’s rights and dignity. We must work towards building a society based on Tawheed, where justice prevails for all,’ she said.