Andaleeve Rahman Partho, MP for Bhola-1, has cautioned lawmakers against trying to take sole credit for the July revolution, warning that confining the younger generation to any particular political circle would undermine the spirit of the mass uprising.
“You represent Gen-Z, don’t become the Jamaat generation,” Partho said during a discussion on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform Council summoning according to the Constitution Order, 2025) under Rule 62 in parliament on Tuesday.
Describing the current parliament as a “unique situation,” the MP said he senses a conspiracy to turn people against the spirit of July.
“Our problem is not with July. Our problem is with the process. What process are you trying to follow?” he questioned.
Arguing against discarding the existing constitution, Partha said respect for the constitution must be maintained.
“Why should I discard the Constitution? I can amend or change it if needed, but why discard it completely? We must also have respect for the Constitution. Otherwise, it would mean denying 1971,” he said.
When commotion erupted in the House, Partho drew a comparison to the previous Awami League government, saying he sees the same attitude of dismissing questions by shifting the topic.
Questioning the constitutional reform process, he asked why a revolutionary government was not formed at the time. “You cannot abolish the Constitution while staying within the old Constitution,” he said.
Recalling contributions to the July movement, Partho noted that many current lawmakers, including the prime minister and several ministers, had spent time in jail. “Whenever the floor goes to your hands, you attack us. As if we had no contribution in July,” he said.
Without naming Jamaat-e-Islami, he criticised the party’s role, saying, “When you were banned, you said nothing. You scored 12 runs off 6 balls, but we all scored the previous 300 runs. Yet now you are taking us to loggerheads, confusing the nation.”
Questioning the referendum process, Partho said voters were forced to vote on only four points with no option to vote no. “You forced me. You held a referendum on only four points under this order. That means you knew everything,” he said.
Addressing the younger generation, he said, “We respect this revolution. We struggled for 17 years. I can change the Constitution, but why discard it? You represent Gen-Z, don’t become the Jamaat generation.”
Concluding his speech, Partha called for national unity, noting that contributions from all sides were significant. “We respect the Constitution, and we also respect the July Charter. If anyone stands against the July Charter, I, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, will stand and speak against them. But do not dictate the system,” he said.
