Supporting reform institutional duty of current govt: Press Wing

Taking a stance in favour of institutional reform is not a political bias for the interim government; rather, it is a moral, institutional, and democratic responsibility, said Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

In a detailed explanatory statement sent to the media by the interim government’s press wing on Sunday afternoon, January 18, he said that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the interim government’s open support for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum aimed at implementing the July National Charter 2025 is fully consistent with democratic practice.

Recently, some quarters have claimed that the government’s public position in favour of reform undermines the neutrality of the interim administration. However, the press wing said such criticism has no realistic basis when considering Bangladesh’s current political context, the interim government’s mandate, and international democratic precedents.

Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said that remaining silent during a time of national crisis is not a sign of neutrality; rather, it reflects a lack of responsible leadership. In his words, if a government and its head fail to take a clear position before the people during a state-level crisis like Bangladesh is experiencing, it weakens democracy instead of strengthening it.

He said the interim government was not formed merely to manage day-to-day state affairs or conduct elections. It assumed office through a mass uprising born out of prolonged misgovernance, institutional fragility, politicisation of state bodies, and a crisis of public trust.

The press wing statement said the interim government’s core responsibility is to restore state stability, rebuild democratic credibility, and create an acceptable framework for necessary reforms before handing over power to an elected government.

The Deputy Press Secretary said that the current reform package is a practical reflection of the proposals developed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus through continuous consultations over the past 18 months with political parties, civil society, professionals, and youth representatives.

He added that it is unrealistic to expect a government formed with a reform mandate to remain silent on reform issues at a crucial democratic moment such as a referendum.

Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said that in international democratic practice, neither interim nor elected heads of government are obliged to remain silent on major national issues. On the contrary, democracy expects leaders to clarify their positions and leave the final decision to the people.

He said a referendum is not a technocratic or bureaucratic process; it is a powerful mechanism for direct public opinion. When the government clearly presents its arguments and position, voters can make more informed and conscious decisions.

The press wing statement cited several international precedents, including:

United Kingdom (2016): Prime Minister David Cameron openly campaigned in favour of remaining in the EU during the Brexit referendum

Scotland (2014): First Minister Alex Salmond led the ‘Yes Scotland’ campaign during the independence referendum

Turkey (2017): President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan campaigned nationwide in favour of constitutional amendments

France (1962): President Charles de Gaulle called a referendum to change the presidential election system

In all these cases, the leaders’ positions were seen not as anti-democratic, but as a normal expression of political accountability.

The Deputy Press Secretary said a key distinction in Bangladesh’s case is that the interim government has no electoral interest or intention to retain power based on the referendum’s outcome. Whether the reforms are accepted or rejected, implementation and political responsibility will rest with the elected government.

He added that the interim government is time-bound and its role limited, making concerns about undue influence unrealistic.

Regarding concerns about government involvement at the district level, the press wing said the objective is to clearly explain the content of the reforms to the public and counter misinformation and confusion.

Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said that fact-based government engagement during a crisis is natural and should not automatically be labelled as coercive campaigning.