Government Denies Involvement in December 31 Declaration by Student Movement

Staff Correspondent

The government has denied involvement in the July Revolution declaration planned for December 31 by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Md Shafiqul Alam clarified that the government views it as a private initiative.

Speaking at a briefing in front of Jamuna State Guest House on Sunday, Shafiqul Alam said the government had no role in the declaration. He stated that those supporting it are backing a private initiative.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will announce the declaration at the Central Shaheed Minar at 3 pm on December 31. At a press conference earlier in the day in Banglamotor, the movement’s leaders discussed their plans.

Movement Convener Hasnat Abdullah said they aim to symbolically bury the 1972 Mujibist constitution. He expressed hope that the declaration would make the Awami League politically irrelevant. He criticised the delay in announcing the declaration, saying it should have been made on August 5.

Hasnat Abdullah alleged that pro-fascist forces in the media, intellectual circles, and other sectors have used the delay to conspire against the revolution. He claimed the movement is built on the sacrifices of over 2,000 martyrs and 20,000 injured.

Sarjis Alam, former coordinator of the movement and now a lead organiser of the National Citizens’ Committee, said the revolution is still in its early stages. He emphasised the need for the declaration to unite all anti-fascist forces. Alam revealed that a draft of the declaration is under review, incorporating feedback from people of different political affiliations, religions, and ages.

Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas described attempts to bury the constitution as fascist. He criticised the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s language, saying the constitution, written with the blood of martyrs, deserves respect. He called for amendments rather than symbolic burial.

Background on Independence Proclamation

The Proclamation of Independence, issued on April 10, 1971, was the first constitutional document of Bangladesh. It was formally announced on April 17 in Mujibnagar, establishing Bangladesh as a sovereign republic.

The proclamation retroactively declared March 26 as the effective date of independence. It served as the interim constitution throughout the liberation war and remained effective until the new constitution was adopted on December 16, 1972.

In 2011, the 15th amendment to the constitution incorporated the Proclamation of Independence as part of the foundational constitutional framework of Bangladesh.