Differences inevitable, but we must unite

Staff Reporter :

Expressing both hope and caution, Professor Ali Riaz, Vice President of the National Consensus Commission, underscored the importance of unity in diversity at the signing ceremony of the July National Charter 2025 on Friday afternoon at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
“There will be differences in opinion.

Without differences in opinion, politics cannot be democratic,” Professor Riaz said. “There will be differences in views and in paths, but we must unite on one common ground — and that ground is democracy.”

Using a metaphor of rivers merging at an estuary, he added, “Many streams should merge at the estuary, so that we can say, though there are many streams, the estuary is one — and that is to build a democratic Bangladesh. We have many streams, but we will all stand united against any form of authoritarianism.”

Professor Riaz, who has played a key role in finalizing the July Charter through nearly a year of dialogue with political parties, welcomed attendees on behalf of the National Consensus Commission, calling the day “an unprecedented and unique moment in Bangladesh’s history.”

He emphasized that the nation is at a critical juncture and that the charter represents a milestone in the ongoing effort to build a state grounded in equality, human dignity, and social justice.

Recalling key moments in Bangladesh’s recent history, including the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 mass uprising, the 2018 Safe Roads Movement, and the quota reform movement, Professor Riaz highlighted the continuity of the July 2024 mass uprising as a driving force behind the Charter.

He described it as “not merely an agreement among political parties but a social contract between citizens, political parties, and the state,” acknowledging the contributions and sacrifices of those injured or martyred during the uprising.

While noting that state reform cannot be achieved overnight and that a single document cannot guarantee change, Professor Riaz expressed optimism: “The national document that has been created will be implemented — and implemented swiftly. Guided by citizens’ opinions, this directional charter will steer the future course of the state of Bangladesh.”

The July National Charter 2025 represents an ambitious effort to unify Bangladesh’s diverse political streams under a shared vision of democracy, accountability, and social justice, signaling a renewed commitment to the country’s democratic trajectory.