Protesters block Shahbagh for declaration of July Charter

Students under the banner of ‘July Fighters’ staged a daylong sit-in at Shahbagh intersection in the capital on Thursday, demanding the immediate implementation and permanent constitutional recognition of the July Declaration and July Charter.

Traffic came to a complete halt as demonstrators gathered from 11:00am, creating severe congestion across the area whilst chanting, "We need interim government, we need July Charter."

Protesters, who have suffered injuries during July movement, made passionate appeals through slogans including 'Rokto lagle rokto ne, July Sonod diye de' (Take our blood if you must, but give us July Charter) and 'Amar bhaiyer rokto britha jete debo na' (We won't let our brothers' blood go in vain). Demonstrators insisted movement spirit of 2024 must not die, referencing martyred activist Abu Sayeed and Mugdho with chants 'Abu Sayeed Mugdho, shesh hoyni juddho' (Abu Sayeed Mugdho, struggle isn't over).
"We must get July Charter written into Constitution," declared protesters. "If not, we're ready to give our lives but won't leave the streets. We don't want to just see flowers; we want to return home with fruits in hand."

Rakib, injured participant, expressed growing frustration: "How much longer must we wait? Election is approaching. It's been year since the uprising, yet the government has failed to declare a Charter or issue formal document."

Warning of escalating action, Rakib added, "If this delay continues, our movement will intensify." Protesters maintained their position throughout the day, effectively paralysing one of capital's busiest intersections whilst demanding constitutional recognition of their demands.

Many people are confused about the July Declaration and the July Charter. The July Declaration is a historic recognition of the July mass uprising and August 5 victory. Including it in the Constitution would legally legitimize the uprising and protect its participants.

The July Charter, on the other hand, is a formal agreement among all political parties outlining achievable reforms in the Constitution, elections, judiciary, administration and the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Both the July Declaration and July Charter are essential and must be implemented together for meaningful change.