BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that any "imposed proposal" beyond the signed July National Charter must be decided directly by the people through a referendum.

"If any proposal goes beyond what was agreed in the July Charter, the people will decide on it through a referendum held on the same day as the national election," Salahuddin told a discussion in Dhaka's Shahbagh this morning.

He said BNP remains committed and determined to follow the July Charter exactly as it was signed.

Welcoming the idea of holding a referendum alongside the national polls to seek public approval, Salahuddin said, "We must remember that a referendum itself does not create a law. A referendum does not amend the constitution. For that, a national parliament must be formed."

Salahuddin stressed that the BNP would not accept any attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Bangladesh's Jatiya Sangsad through "imposed laws," executive orders or forced proposals.

"This is the only sovereign house of Bangladesh. No proposal or imposed condition can be allowed that dictates or undermines the sovereignty of the national parliament," he said.

Turning to women's rights, Salahuddin said "a certain group" is exploiting religion for business and politics.

"They sell so-called 'tickets to heaven' to win support and secure votes," he said, adding that women are now facing oppression from these groups.

According to him, "They want women to remain confined and in the dark so that half the population stays behind and the country cannot move forward."