Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Ali Riaz warned on Thursday that falsehoods and propaganda are being disseminated regarding the upcoming referendum.
He alleged that fugitive fascists are utilising looted wealth to fund this disinformation campaign aimed at confusing the public, and asserted that these lies must be overcome by presenting the truth to the people.
Ali Riaz made these remarks while addressing a divisional Imam conference held at the Chattogram District Stadium as the chief guest. The event was organised by the divisional administration and the Islamic Foundation to promote the referendum and encourage voter participation.
Recalling the sacrifices of the 2024 mass uprising, the special assistant noted that thousands lost their lives, while the ulema, students, and the public suffered persecution. He emphasised that every word of the July Charter was written with the blood of these martyrs and urged the nation not to forget its debt to them.
Ali Riaz, who also serves as the chief coordinator of government campaign activities for the referendum, remarked that the vote would determine if the nation wants the future Bangladesh envisioned during the Liberation War and the 2024 uprising.
Addressing the issue of corruption, he stated that no institutional path has yet been established in the country to effectively prevent it.
Ali Riaz criticised the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), claiming it has historically been used to suppress the opposition while ignoring looting by the then-ruling party – a situation made possible by flaws in the appointment process under the existing constitution.
He explained that the July Charter proposes reforms to this system, and public consent in the referendum would allow for the formation of multiple parliamentary committees led by the opposition to oversee the government’s financial affairs.
Speaking as a special guest, Monir Haider, special assistant (Consensus) to the Chief Adviser, stated that fascists are attempting to derail the nation’s progress by spreading lies with looted funds.
He described the July Charter as a permanent document for building the nation’s future and stated that conveying this truth to the public would cause the misinformation to disappear.
He noted that while ancestors fought 54 years ago for a country free from discrimination – ensuring equality, human dignity, and justice – the nation continues to strive for these same goals today.
The conference was chaired by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin. Other special guests included the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md. Kamal Uddin, and the DIG of Bangladesh Police Chattogram Range, Md. Ahsan Habib Palash.
Speeches were also delivered by Sarkar Sarwar Alam, director of Islamic Foundation Chattogram, and Dr Mufti Humayun Kabir, Khatib of Lalkhan Bazar Jame Mosque.
During a question-and-answer session, the guests addressed various queries from the imams concerning the referendum.
