There are many countries in the world whose constitutions are filled with beautiful words. But when those in power seize control, they throw away that beautiful book. They draft a new constitution in such a way that ensures they can remain on the throne of power forever.
Zimbabwe and Uganda are the biggest examples of this. Then again, there are countries that treat their constitutions as mere textbooks – they don’t actually practice them. When they are in power, they amend and revise this “textbook” for their own convenience. They don’t practice what is written on paper. Bangladesh and Pakistan are prime examples of this.
In the cradle of global democracy, the United Kingdom, there is no written constitutional document at all. Democracy runs there based on principles and practice. Britain stands as an exemplary model for the world in the practice of democracy.
The purpose of this comparison regarding constitutions is to make one thing clear: democracy is not about written documents or pieces of paper. Democracy is about practice. A country’s democracy develops through the continuous practice of tolerance and forbearance.
It is in this context that I mention the meetings that wise men and experts have been holding for more than eight months over the July Charter. The draft of the “July National Charter-2025” has been prepared with the aim of state reform. The National Consensus Commission discussed this Charter all day last Thursday. On Sunday, the commission will again sit with political parties to discuss how this Charter will be implemented.
According to reports in the Bangladesh Pratidin, thirty political parties discussed four different formulas with the Commission. Some argued that a referendum is required; others said it should be referred to the Supreme Court. Some called for a new constitution, while others supported finalizing the Charter through an executive order.
But my question lies elsewhere. If we cannot embody the spirit and aspirations of the July Revolution, what will be the use – no matter how the Charter is adopted? Suppose the Charter is adopted by constitutional order as demanded by the NCP. But then, the defeated forces of the July Revolution return to power. Or suppose a “counter-revolution” against the spirit of July is organised. What will happen then to that constitutional order or the new constitution? Again, suppose a costly referendum on the July Charter is held, as Jamaat demands. But fascism returns afterward. Then will that referendum-approved piece of paper hold any value?
Therefore, the key issue is not how or by what method the reform proposals inspired by the July Revolution are adopted. The core issue is whether the political parties that participated in the July Revolution believe in the commitments of the Charter. Do they want to practice it? If the political parties do not embrace the spirit of the July Charter, then even if it is written in golden letters, it will be of no use.
Why are the political parties so divided over how the July Charter will be implemented? The reason is mistrust. They do not want to trust one another. Each party thinks only it can implement the Charter, while others will resort to trickery. But can the Charter be made effective amid such mutual suspicion and distrust?
There will always be differences of ideology and thought among political parties – that is the very principle and beauty of democracy. But on fundamental questions, all political parties must nurture a common vision. The fundamental issues are Bangladesh’s interests – our independence and sovereignty. Whatever ideology or belief a party holds, on national questions everyone must stand united. The July Charter is such a fundamental issue. Through it, all active political parties in the country are expected to embrace the dream of the July Revolution and move the nation forward collectively. This is what the people expect.
And what is the dream of the July Revolution? The dream of “new independence,” achieved at the cost of thousands of martyrs’ blood, is a democratic, inequality-free Bangladesh. A Bangladesh where the only path to gaining or retaining power is the people’s mandate.
In such a Bangladesh of equality, opposition voices will not be suppressed. Human rights and the rule of law will remain upheld. The dignity of every citizen will be preserved. All will be tolerant toward differing views. No individual or party will become a “monster” once in power. This cannot be achieved simply by writing it on paper. If we decorate the constitution with flowery words but do not practice them, it will bring no benefit. Yet what we are observing is that the Consensus Commission and the political parties are more eager to enshrine these ideals in writing than to practice them in reality. Will this truly make the July Charter a reality?
After the August 5 uprising, are we really walking the path of the July Charter’s spirit? Let’s examine this. One of the most important aspects of state reform is establishing people’s right to vote. People must be able to exercise their franchise independently, without influence, and without fear. Every election must reflect public aspirations. No more midnight voting, uncontested ballots, or fake ballots as in the past. No more playing games with people’s right to vote.
But are we heading in that direction? Have we stepped out of the cycle of controversial elections to nurture the spirit of free, fair, and impartial polls? The DUCSU and JUCSU elections say otherwise. We are not walking that path.
Instead, we are still trapped in the dangerous mindset of winning elections by any means. The DUCSU and JUCSU elections are proof. Bad habits take root quickly, but good practices take time to build. In the last fifteen years, so many scandals and farces have surrounded elections, and we still haven’t broken out of that cycle. The Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University elections proved how strong the urge to win at any cost remains. With such hunger for power within, can we ever implement the July Charter?
At Dhaka University, the irregularities and chaos hadn’t crossed the bounds of tolerance. We thought such flaws might occur in democracy’s new journey. We hoped Jahangirnagar University’s election would be better. We expected rival candidates and the administration would work together to hold a free, fair, and controversy-free election, learning from DUCSU’s mistakes. But JUCSU turned into a full-blown scandal. That election reminded us of the national elections of 2014 and 2018. While vote manipulation games were being played in JUCSU, political parties were sitting in air-conditioned rooms, sipping coffee, debating how to secure voting rights in the Charter. The DUCSU and JUCSU elections clearly showed us: it is easy to write a Charter filled with fine words, but practicing it is extremely difficult. If political parties do not practice it, the Charter will inevitably turn into a worthless piece of paper.
BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has repeatedly said, “We must carry the spirit of July in our hearts. Political parties must practice harmony and amity.” But in the DUCSU and JUCSU elections, we saw no reflection of this.
Why stop at student union elections? Over the past thirteen months, the ghost of authoritarianism seems to have climbed onto some political parties anew. Statements like “There will be no election in Bangladesh without a new constitution” or “We will not join elections unless it is under the PR system” are contradictory to democratic spirit and the aspirations of the July Revolution. Democracy is not about imposing one’s views on others – it is about embracing the most acceptable view through the light of reason. With a mindset of “I accept the verdict, but the tree is mine,” building a fair democratic Bangladesh is impossible.
The question is: are we practicing such a mindset? If we review the National Consensus Commission’s discussions over the last eight months, we will see BNP has made the greatest compromises in the July Charter process. But some interpret BNP’s democratic practice as weakness. Many openly say BNP was forced. But if a party respects differing opinions and steps back from its own stance for the greater national interest, is that a limitation or generosity? Much of the Charter’s implementation depends on how we answer this question. If a party yields its position for the sake of the nation, it deserves open applause. But instead, many say, “We dragged them down.” This mentality must change.
One of the core aspirations of the July Revolution is the practice of harmony and tolerance. We must not suppress differing opinions; we must observe political etiquette even in criticizing differing views. But in the past thirteen months, we have seen political opponents attacking each other with vile and filthy language. Slogans are becoming increasingly obscene and vulgar, so much so that ordinary people cover their ears upon hearing them. On social media, political leaders are being bullied with abusive words. The limits of decency have been crossed. All this is alarming and worrisome. Unless this mentality and downward spiral stop, no matter how the July Charter is finalised, it cannot be implemented. We will remain in the same darkness as before.
In the thirteen months since 5 August 2024, despair has grown among the people. One by one, the lamps of hope are being extinguished. The fallen autocracy lurks everywhere. The July Revolution was not the achievement of any single person. It was the victory of collective national strength. Political parties must embrace the people’s aspiration for unity. For that, the first step must be a change in mindset and thinking. The mentality of “we must seize power at any cost” is contradictory to the July Revolution. Last Thursday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus firmly said, “There is no alternative to elections in the first half of February.” Let the upcoming February election be the first step in realizing the July Charter and its spirit. Political parties must regard the “election” as a test of upholding the people’s rights. Who wins and who loses should not be the main concern. The election must serve as a practical test of true democratic practice.
The people of this country have been deprived of voting rights for too long. If we all commit together, we can hold a free, fair, and impartial election at any cost. We must ensure that no one manipulates the election, no one toys with people’s right to vote. We must not influence the administration, use muscle power, or twist public opinion. Only then will the true implementation of the July Charter begin. But if we continue to walk the old path of manipulation and rigging for power, the July Charter will become nothing more than a meaningless piece of paper.
Audite Karim is a playwright and columnist. Email: [email protected]
