Partho warns Gen-Z not to become 'Jamaat generation'

Andaleeve Rahman Partho, chairman of the Bangladesh National Party (BJP), a coalition partner of the ruling BNP alliance, has warned the youth generation or 'Gen-Z' who led the July uprising not to become the 'Jamaat generation'. He also said politicians are not against the 'July Charter' but have objections to the process of constitutional change.

He made these remarks while participating in a scheduled discussion on the 'July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025' at the National Parliament on Tuesday, March 31.

At one point in his speech, addressing the youth, Andaleeve Rahman Partho said, "You represent Gen-Z. Please do not become the 'Jamaat generation'."

Criticising Jamaat's dual policy, he said, "You have spent your entire life doing politics against India, and now you are meeting with India. Again, you have done politics in the name of Islam your entire life, and at the end of the election, you say you do not want Sharia law. What is the problem? Slightly manoeuvre your words. Bring positive politics."

The BJP chairman strongly criticised attempts to abolish or discard the constitution. He said, "Our problem is not with July; the problem is with the process. If you wanted to tear up the constitution and create a new one, why didn't you form a revolutionary or transitional government then? You formed a regular government and now you want to abolish the constitution while staying under the old constitution—that cannot be done."

Referring to the constitution as the document of the Liberation War, he said, "Why would I discard the constitution? Why this outrage? If we want, we can change or amend it. There is no need to discard it."

Partho criticised attempts to label anyone who speaks rationally as an 'anti-July force'. He said, "I see a conspiracy to pit anyone who speaks against July. This reminds me of the Awami League government. Even when we spoke about oil prices back then, they would say, 'They don't want the trial of war criminals.' Now I see the same behaviour."

Recalling the contributions of political parties to the July uprising, Partho said in cricketing terms, "Listen, you scored 12 runs off six balls, but we all collectively scored the previous 300 runs. So do not say things that confuse the people, as if we had no contribution to July! The day Abu Sayed was martyred, Wasim Akram in Chattogram was also martyred. No one's contribution is less."

Partho also raised questions about the technical aspects of the recent referendum in parliament. He said, "You presented four issues in the referendum. But if a voter does not agree with one of the issues, what will they do? Will they vote yes or no? You have forced them. Why did you not put the other issues of the charter in the referendum?"

Concluding his speech with a call for national unity, Partho said, "We must have respect for the constitution and also uphold the spirit of July. Let us all sit together and discuss. But no member's speech should undermine July. Let us bring something positive."