Speakers at a human chain on Sunday called on the government to immediately implement the reform proposals outlined in the July Charter in accordance with the mandate delivered through a referendum and announce a clear roadmap for constitutional reforms.
The programme, organised by the Citizens' Forum for Referendum Implementation, was held at Manik Mia Avenue in front of the Jatiya Sangsad in the capital.
It was attended by individuals injured during the July uprising, family members of those killed, and activists from various civic and reform-oriented organisations.
Prominent photographer Shahidul Alam said while the constitution contained many provisions, it did not account for events such as a mass uprising, revolution, or the fleeing of a sitting prime minister.
Yet, these realities had been embraced by the people, he said.
"Those now in power are there by the people's verdict. If that verdict can be accepted, why is it so difficult to accept another one?" he said, arguing that the people's mandate must be respected if popular sovereignty was to have any meaning.
Fahim Mashroor, co-coordinator of the forum, urged parliament - scheduled to sit later in the day - to prioritise constitutional reforms by providing a clear roadmap, including when the process would begin and how a proposed Constitutional Reform Council would function.
He said nearly two-thirds of voters - around 68 per cent - had supported reforms in the referendum and criticised remarks by some senior political leaders questioning its legitimacy.
"We expect all the remaining members of parliament to take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council without delay and act on the people's mandate," he added.
Speakers noted that only about 70 elected members of parliament had so far taken oath in the proposed reform body, calling on the rest to join swiftly to advance its work.
Participants included members of Warriors of July, July Fighters' Council, Tarunyer July, Bangladesh July Fighters' Council Society, July Political Prisoners' Alliance, and other civic platforms.
Syed Hasib Uddin Hossain, general secretary of the State Reform Movement, said the July uprising was not solely about removing a government but about ensuring that Bangladesh would never again fall into authoritarian rule.
"Elections alone cannot prevent authoritarianism. The July Charter is intended to introduce safeguards within the constitution to prevent such a recurrence," he said, warning that rejecting the charter or the referendum outcome would run counter to the country's interests.
Other speakers, including those injured during the July uprising, said they were not seeking positions or power, but rather the implementation of the people's aspirations as reflected in the charter.
They also cautioned against invoking the constitution to justify past abuses, calling for reforms to ensure accountability and prevent the recurrence of enforced disappearances, killings, and repression.
The programme concluded with a renewed call for the government to initiate the constitutional reform process without delay and honour what speakers described as a clear public mandate.
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