DU Correspondent

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee have given the government until Jan 15, 2025 to announce the July proclamation.

The top leaders of the two organisations made the demand at the “March for Unity” rally at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar on Tuesday afternoon.

One of them, Hasnat Abdullah, said the July proclamation should be issued by Jan 15.

He raised his hands with the people present and pledged for justice and reform.

"What is needed now is justice and reform," he said, urging the leaders present there to go to the people in every neighbourhood with the message of the July proclamation.

Member Secretary of the National Citizens’ Committee Akhtar Hossain said the people of Bangladesh want the July proclamation and a new constitution.

“While the Anti-discrimination Student Movement announced the event to read out the July proclamation, the government decided to read the July proclamation based on discussions with all political parties. This is a victory for the platform.”

He said the government has to announce the July proclamation by Jan 15.

“We are told, where will the new constitution place its mandate? We say that the new constitution will be made through elected representatives. The next general election of Bangladesh will be a constituent assembly election," Akhtar said.

He said whoever wins the election will decide on the constitution at the same time. They will draft a new constitution and serve as a member of the legislature.

Bangladesh has many aspirations, including justice and reform. The students and members of the public will definitely meet their expectations.

Samanta Sharmin, spokesperson of the National Citizens’ Committee, also demanded that the proclamation be announced by the 15th.

She said the students would be compelled to take to the streets again if the July proclamation is not announced by Jan 15.

She urged the pupils not to leave the street until justice and reform are ensured.