Staff Reporter | Dhaka | 30 October 2025
The historic referendum of 1977 has come under discussion again in the political arena of Bangladesh. The ballot paper held during the reign of Major General Ziaur Rahman had a question—
“Do you have confidence in President Major General Ziaur Rahman, B.U. and his policies and actions?”
There were only two answers: “Yes” or “No”.
More than four decades later, Jamaat-e-Islami is now trying to use that referendum process. The party’s leaders recently announced that they will demand a “referendum to test public confidence” to determine the country’s political future. But BNP—the party that once established its political legitimacy through this referendum—has objected to this demand.
Shadow of the past
The referendum held on May 30, 1977, was Ziaur Rahman's strategy to maintain power. After entering politics from a military background, his main goal was to gain the trust of the people. As a government, 98% of voters voted 'yes', although there is debate about the accuracy and participation of the vote.
This vote later laid the foundation for the formation of the BNP. That is, gaining political legitimacy through a referendum—this was the basic formula for the beginning of the BNP.
Current context
In 2025, Jamaat-e-Islami announced that it wanted a referendum to determine the legitimacy of political reforms and the new national charter. Their statement—"This is the most democratic method of knowing the opinion of the people."
But several top leaders on behalf of the BNP have called the proposal "creating political confusion." A senior BNP leader said, "Referendums are now irrelevant; this is just a new strategy to confuse the people."
According to political analysts, a clear duplicity has emerged here—the process through which BNP once established its political legitimacy, they are now calling it “unnecessary.”
Why BNP is now unhappy
1. Political distance and strategy:
When the BNP-Jamaat alliance was in power from 2001 to 2006, it did politics together. But now BNP wants to present itself as a “moderate and secular opposition party” in the international arena. It is believed that closeness to Jamaat could tarnish their image.
2. Policy differences:
Jamaat’s main political trend calls for the establishment of an Islamic-based regime. On the other hand, BNP now wants to stay away from religious politics in the name of “nationalism and democracy.” Therefore, the referendum-based movement is being perceived as “religious propaganda” by them.
3. Reality of power:
In 1977, Ziaur Rahman was at the center of power; gaining legitimacy through a referendum was easy for him. Today, BNP is in an anti-BNP position—that is why the same process seems “fruitless and risky” to them.
Jamaat’s response
Jamaat spokesperson Rafiqul Islam said,
“Referendum means people’s opinion. Just as BNP once tested people’s trust, we also want that. They are denying it today—it is nothing but political hypocrisy.”
He also said, “BNP is now talking down to Jamaat, but is forgetting history—their politics were born from that referendum.”
Analysis
According to political analysts, although this position of BNP is ‘strategic’, there is a denial of history in it. Dr. Hasan Mahmud, a political analyst, said—
“Ziaur Rahman’s referendum is the basis of BNP’s political birth. So if Jamaat uses the same form today, it is difficult for BNP to completely deny it. However, the reality is—this strategy is not effective in current politics.”
He added—
“This is basically a reflection of the crisis of trust of the voters. Both parties are unable to win the hearts of the people, so a new fight has started with the tactics of the past.”
Conclusion
The referendum, which was once the political birth certificate of the BNP, has today become a cause for controversy. Jamaat is trying to revive that history, and BNP is moving away from that past and demanding “new politics.”
Therefore, the question has arisen in Bangladeshi politics—
“Is political memory remembered only for the convenience of power?”
