Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has declined to sign the interim government’s new “July National Charter,” deepening uncertainty over the country’s political roadmap as violent clashes erupted outside the national Parliament complex in Dhaka on Friday.
The charter, introduced by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, aims to pave the way for democratic reforms and constitutional changes ahead of national elections scheduled for February 2026. It was signed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and several other parties, but Jamaat-e-Islami said it would take more time to review the document before making a final decision.
The party’s hesitation comes as security forces fired tear gas, grenades, and batons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the charter. Many of the protesters — who described themselves as part of the Gen Z movement that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year — accused the government of ignoring their grievances and the sacrifices of those killed during the 2024 uprisings.
The National Consensus Commission, formed under Yunus’s administration, drafted the charter after extensive consultations with major political parties, excluding Hasina’s Awami League, which remains banned from political activity.
Analysts say Jamaat-e-Islami’s refusal to sign could complicate efforts to present the charter as a broad-based national consensus. The group’s participation is seen as crucial to ensuring political inclusivity and stability in the run-up to elections.
Despite the tensions, Yunus reaffirmed his commitment to holding free and fair elections before Ramadan, saying the charter “marks a turning point toward a more accountable and democratic Bangladesh.”
Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 amid mass protests, faces ongoing crimes against humanity charges. The United Nations estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed during the uprisings that led to her ouster.
