Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer and lawmaker Professor Mujibur Rahman said the public voted in a referendum for constitutional reform, not merely constitutional amendment. Speaking as chief guest at a seminar at the National Press Club on July 29, he alleged that the government had disrespected the majority by ignoring the referendum verdict. The event was organised by the Dhaka South unit of Bangladesh Adarsha Teachers Federation.

Rahman said BNP claims to have formed the government with 51 percent of votes, while nearly 71 percent supported constitutional reform in the referendum. He argued that those who did not take an oath as members of a constitutional reform council could not follow the July Charter word for word. He said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue its struggle in parliament and on the streets until the referendum verdict is implemented.

He accused BNP of seeking to restore an old fascist culture, using party quotas in appointments and postings, and making partisan appointments at universities and financial institutions. Other speakers called for religiously grounded moral education, greater emphasis on Arabic, freedom from partisan influence in educational institutions, and an end to disparities between general and madrasa education.