July Oikya, an alliance of multiple organisations associated with the July Uprising, has demanded the removal of President Mohammad Shahabuddin from office and called for his trial as an accomplice to genocide.
In a press conference held on Friday at Dhaka University’s Madhu’s Canteen, Fahim Faruqi, one of the key organisers of July Oikyo, read out a written statement demanding that President Shahabuddin be impeached for “grave misconduct” and “violating the constitution,” as outlined under Article 52 of the Bangladesh Constitution.
Faruqi accused the President, who was appointed by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, of betraying the people and called for his trial as a “collaborator in genocide.”
He emphasised that Shahabuddin should be held accountable for his role in alleged atrocities.
“We have waited for this moment because there has been no elected government. Now, we demand that the elected representatives, based on a majority decision, initiate the process to remove the President from office,” Faruqi said.
The statement also pointed out that the July Oikyo coalition, which represents the ideals of the July Uprising, views President Shahabuddin’s actions as a betrayal of the principles of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and the blood of the martyrs. Faruqi accused the ruling party, BNP, of facilitating this betrayal by allowing Shahabuddin to address Parliament, calling it an act of treason.
The group further demanded that those who have not yet taken the oath as part of the Constitutional Reform Council do so without delay.
“We urge those members of the Constitutional Reform Council who have not taken the oath to do so during this session, ensuring the implementation of the July Accord and dismantling the fascist structure. If our demands are not met, we will escalate our movement,” Faruqi warned.
In addition to these demands, the group called for the swift trial of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, the leader of the Inqilab Moncho, who was killed last year.
The coalition stressed the importance of bringing justice to his murder case.
Munshi Borhan Mahmud, the chief organiser of July Oikyo, also announced that all affiliated organisations would be mobilised and united by 25 March, 2026, to strengthen the movement and advance their objectives.
The press conference was attended by several other leaders from the July Oikyo coalition, including Asmaul Husna, Maruf Sarkar, and Fahim Faruqi.
