Representatives from various political parties signed the July Charter at a ceremony held on Friday (October 17) at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building.
After the signatures were placed, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus displayed the signed charter to all attendees.
From BNP, the signatories included Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar.
Jamaat-e-Islami was represented by Naib Amir Dr. Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad.
Also present on the stage were Jonayed Saki, chief of the Ganashonghoti Andolon, Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikko, and Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Ganadhikar Parishad.
However, the National Citizens Party (NCP) decided not to sign the charter, citing the argument that the charter lacks legal basis.
Earlier, a post on the verified Facebook page of the Chief Advisor stated readiness for the historic July Charter signing event, mentioning that due to unfavorable weather conditions, the start of the program might be delayed. It also noted that many guests had already arrived, and anticipation was high to witness the beginning of a new chapter in history.
Prior to the event, law enforcement personnel removed a group of July fighters who had entered the Parliament premises by force. The entire area was then secured by security forces.
At around 1:26 PM on Friday, clashes broke out between a faction claiming to be July fighters and the police, continuing until about 2 PM with a series of pursuits and counter-pursuits.
Reports say that after breaking the gate and entering, the July fighters were removed from the stage area, leading to heightened tensions. Subsequently, they engaged in arson and vandalism at various locations around the Parliament building. Police and Rapid Action Battalion members used sound grenades and baton charges to disperse the protesters.
Earlier that morning, many gathered in front of Gate 12 of the Parliament building under the banner of ‘July Martyrs’ Families and Injured Fighters,’ shouting slogans. At one point, they scaled the gate, entered the premises, and sat in the guests’ chairs in front of the stage while chanting slogans.
