BNP Hails July Declaration, Jamaat Expresses Disappointment
The release of the July Declaration has elicited contrasting reactions from Bangladesh’s two major opposition parties, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. BNP hailed it as a “pledge to build a new Bangladesh,” while Jamaat expressed disappointment, stating it “failed to meet the nation’s expectations.”
At a press conference on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed the declaration, emphasizing its role in advancing a new Bangladesh through fulfilled commitments. He highlighted the February 2026 election announcement as a step to end political deadlock. “The entire nation believes elections will resolve the crisis and lead to democracy,” he said, noting BNP’s ongoing electoral preparations. Addressing other parties’ dissatisfaction, he urged them to adopt a positive outlook, stating, “Some have given immediate reactions without formal statements. We hope they will contribute to clearing the path for democratic transition.”
Conversely, Jamaat-e-Islami's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher expressed frustration, arguing the declaration fell short of public expectations, causing anxiety among citizens and July uprising participants. “The upcoming election should be based on the July Charter, but the declaration lacks clarity on implementation timelines and constitutional inclusion,” he said in a formal statement. He criticized the absence of specific guidelines for state recognition and allowances for martyrs’ families and injured activists, noting, “The nation is disappointed, as are we. We expected implementation from August 5, but no clear directives exist, especially for martyrs and the injured.” He added that uncertainties remain about the National Consensus Commission’s approach to formulating and implementing the July Charter.
The July Declaration, announced by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on August 5, 2025, at the National Parliament’s South Plaza, recognizes the 2024 July uprising and aims to provide constitutional legitimacy, though its implementation remains a point of contention.
