July Charter has no direct legal basis, political consensus is its core strength: home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the July National Charter, drawn up during the interim government, has no direct legal basis. Political consensus can play a strong and important role in implementing the charter, he said.

He made the remarks on Saturday (31 October) at a seminar titled 'Constitutional crises in post-independence Bangladesh and Bakshal', held at the July Memorial Museum.

The home minister said political consensus is often stronger and more effective than a legal basis. If questions arise in future over the acceptability or effectiveness of the July National Charter, mutual consensus among the country's political parties will be its main foundation.

The home minister put forward a specific proposal to give the July Charter a sustainable and lasting form. A nationwide referendum could be held within a single day on one question alone — yes or no — to take the people's direct opinion or verdict on the charter, he said.

Calling on all political parties to prevent any recurrence of autocracy and fascism in future, he said everyone must unite in the national interest so that no new crisis is created in the country.

According to the home minister's remarks, the unity and consensus of the country's main political parties — rather than a legal or constitutional framework — is being seen as the core strength of this charter.