Dhaka, Oct. 17 -- The July Charter of 2024, born from the fervour of the July Uprising, remains suspended in uncertainty. Disagreements over its scope-especially how to grant it a durable, supra-constitutional status-have stalled progress. The public is frustrated that the politics of reform has been replaced by a politics of pre-emptive power appropriation. With elections slated for February 2026, there is scarcely enough time to implement the ambitious reforms promised by the belatedly declared Charter.

It is worth recalling how the situation unfolded. It began as a student movement demanding justice and equity, which suddenly escalated into a countrywide mass uprising. It led to the collapse of the fascist government on 5th August 202...