Bangladesh at a historic crossroads: Dr Kamal Hossain

Dr. Kamal says the country is at a historic crossroads

Staff correspondent

Sunday, Nov. 3 2024, 00:10 Last updated on: Sunday, Nov 3 2024, 03:41

Photo: Collected

“>

Photo: Collected

Dr Kamal Hossain, President Emeritus of Gono Forum, yesterday recommended updating the constitution.

He made the recommendation when members of the Constitutional Reform Commission, led by its head Professor Ali Riaz, summoned him to his office in Motijheel in the capital, a commission press release said. The reform process was also discussed during the meeting.

At a separate programme, Dr Kamal said that Bangladesh is at a turning point in history.

“We secured our rights through struggle,” he said, adding: “Before these rights were enshrined in our constitution, they were deeply rooted in our hearts. Similarly, in 1971, the constitution was framed on the basis of the rights won through the Liberation War. , emphasizing the importance of eradicating inequality and supporting secularism.

“We are indeed at a critical juncture. It is imperative that we recommend constitutional amendments that eliminate the possibility of authoritarian rule,” he said.

The event held at Dhaka University’s RC Majumdar Auditorium was jointly organized by Reading Club Trust and aynerkotha.com in the afternoon.

After the Liberation War, Dr. Kamal, then Law Minister, headed a commission to draft the constitution. The draft was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1972 and entered into force on 16 December 1972.

The focus on constitutional reform was renewed after Chief Counsel Professor Muhammed Yunus formed a caretaker government on August 5 following Hasina’s ouster, sparking debate over constitutional amendments.

While some called for amendments, others called for an entirely new one, following which Yunus announced the formation of 10 commissions to reform the state.

Referring to the events of July and August, Dr. Kamal remarked: “The brutal violence and repression inflicted on our students and numerous citizens, the disregard for the rule of law – these experiences must be enshrined in our Constitution. We are responsible for reform. Constitution in a manner that will prevent any recurrence of such injustices in the future”.

At the event, constitutional scholar Arif Khan delivered the keynote address, while political analyst Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman and senior Supreme Court advocate Mustafizur Rahman Khan participated as panelists.

In his keynote address, Arif Khan described the student-led uprising as a mass awakening against state oppression.

“This movement has given us an opportunity for self-reconstruction by addressing critical historical and structural errors,” he noted.

Khan argued for the preservation of constitutional ideals that emerged from political struggles and the nation’s legacy.

“Any attempt to replace the constitutional framework shaped by the Liberation War would lead to ideological conflicts and a void in national life, so our current duty should be a constitutional revival, not a replacement,” he asserted.

Zahed Ur Rahman said the Awami League had eroded the electoral system, leading to the revolt. He called for the restoration of a system of internal governance to facilitate credible elections.

Zahed also commented that there is no pressing justification for those advocating a complete rewrite of the constitution.

“There is no document in the world that can simply be put in place to solve all the problems,” he said, stressing that reform, rather than a total rewrite, is preferable.

Regarding the idea of ​​a bicameral parliament, he suggested that the lower house could still be elected under the current system, while members of the upper house could be elected proportionally based on the number of votes in the lower house.

He noted that this system could contribute to establishing a balanced dynamic between the two chambers of the parliament.

Mustafizur Rahman Khan advocated that elected governments should have the authority to amend the Constitution. He called on the government to prioritize the development of the private sector to reduce unemployment among university graduates.

Dr Zulfikar Islam, CEO of Reading Club Trust delivered the welcome address at the event, which was attended by reading associates, professors and students from various universities as well as people from diverse backgrounds.