Rashed Pradhan, Vice President and spokesperson of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), stated that the “July National Charter must not be taken lightly.” He made the remarks on Tuesday (October 14) during a human chain organized in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka to press for seven key demands.
Pradhan noted that the interim government is set to host a signing ceremony for the July Charter on October 17. However, he criticized the move as merely symbolic, lacking any legal foundation. “Unless a referendum is held before the national election, the Charter’s implementation will remain incomplete,” he said.
He also took aim at the BNP, saying, “BNP leaders have claimed they don’t understand the PR (Proportional Representation) system. Now, one of their top leaders says the matter will be decided by the next elected parliament. If they don’t even understand it now, how will they make decisions later?”
He challenged the BNP’s stance:
“You call yourselves a popular party—why fear a system where you must secure 51% of the vote? If you say the people don’t understand PR, let’s test that. Include a question about it in a pre-election referendum. Whatever verdict the people give, we will accept it.”
Call for Reform and Fair Elections
Addressing the interim government, Pradhan demanded the banning of the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance alongside the Awami League, stating, “They must be held accountable in the same way.”
He also criticized the failure to reform the existing bureaucracy: “The administrative structure left behind by the Awami League remains largely unchanged, and some pro-BNP individuals have been appointed in various posts. This will not create a level playing field. The administration must be reshuffled.”
He reiterated that the upcoming national election must be held under a PR system and in a level playing field.
Nationwide Protests Held by JAGPA
Simultaneously, JAGPA organized similar human chains across seven divisional cities to push for their demands.
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In Chattogram: Presidium member A.M.M. Anas
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In Rajshahi: Presidium member Md. Shamim Akhtar Pilot
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In Sylhet: Organizational Secretary Md. Shahjahan Ahmed Liton
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In Khulna: JAGPA Student League President Abdur Rahman Farooqi
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In Mymensingh: Youth JAGPA Organizing Secretary Oliul Anwar
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In Rangpur: District Coordinator Masum Billah
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In Barisal: Assistant District Coordinator Moniruzzaman Monir
Other speakers at the Dhaka event included JAGPA General Secretary Prof. Iqbal Hossain, Presidium Member Asadur Rahman Khan, Publication Secretary S.M. Ziaul Anwar, Dhaka Metropolitan Convenor Shyamal Chandra Sarkar, and leaders from JAGPA’s workers’ and youth wings.
