After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in the student uprising, questions have arisen about the existing constitution. Various political parties and organizations say that because of the existing constitution, Sheikh Hasina has become a fascist. Therefore, the existing constitution needs to be rewritten and amended to abolish the fascist system. However, there are disagreements in different quarters about how the new constitution will be formulated. One of the active anti-government movement, the Alliance Democracy Mancha, is also in crisis.
The Democracy Manch is made up of 6 parties and organisations—Nagarik Oikya, Revolutionary Workers Party, Mass Solidarity Andolan, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bhasani Anusari Parishad and Rashtra Sankar Andolan. Leaders and activists at different levels of the platform said that recently, differences have arisen between the parties belonging to the democracy platform on the issue of reforms and elections. In particular, complications have arisen over whether the constitution will be rewritten through the Constituent Assembly elections, or whether the next elected parliament will reform the constitution through amendments.
Not an amendment to the existing constitution recently before the Constitutional Reform Commission; Instead, the anti-discrimination student movement and the National Citizens Committee have proposed rewriting the constitution. Constituent Assembly should be formed through their proposals and elections. There the new constitution will be ratified.
The leaders and workers of the state reform movement are speaking in the same tone. They said that fundamental reform of the constitution is not possible through amendment. And to rewrite the constitution, the election of Constituent Assembly or Constituent Assembly is required.
Regarding this, Hasnat Qayyum, the chief coordinator of the National Reform Movement, told Ajker newspaper, “Parliament takes an oath to protect the Constitution.” They cannot do any fundamental reform of the constitution. If any change in the constitution is made in the name of amendment, then the court or the next parliament can nullify it.' He also said, 'The changes should be sustainable, so we want the Constituent Assembly or the Constitution Reform Meeting. Constituent assembly elections are required to change the constitution. Many of those who oppose this approach are unclear about the methodological premises. Those who do, despite the obvious, may actually have other ulterior motives.'
Jonaid Saki, chief coordinator of Mass Solidarity Movement, told Ajker newspaper, 'We want the reforms to be based on the people's mandate. Let the next election be held with this as the main focus. As a result, the main goal of the next election will be the establishment of a new political settlement and a democratic constitution. He said that the election of Sanskar Sabha is necessary for this.
Saki also said, 'If there is a mandate of the people on the question of reform, the constitution will stand as the will of the people. That will not be accepted as an amendment by the court. But in order to give the foundation of the constitution of the people's intention, a mandate must be taken from the people as a Constituent Assembly or reform meeting.'
Meanwhile, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan feels that there is no context for making a brand new constitution at the moment. “It is difficult to have a national consensus on this question,” he told Ajkar newspaper. However, he said that the Constituent Assembly can take oath as a parliament after rewriting or reforming the constitution through the election of the Constituent Assembly.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of the Citizens' Union, told Ajker Patrika, 'From the liberation war of Bangladesh, there is a debate on every issue. Going to the Constituent Assembly means repealing the constitution and rewriting the new constitution. It took Pakistan five years to draft a new constitution. How many years will it take to make the new constitution of Bangladesh? What will be available this time? All the reforms being talked about can be done gradually through amendments. So we don't talk about the Constituent Assembly.'
Regarding constitutional reform, the next elected parliament will reform the constitution – this is what Saiful Haque, general secretary of the revolutionary workers party of Bangladesh, one of the partners of the democracy platform, wants. He said, 'The National Consensus Commission will discuss the constitution with the political parties. Find out where there is room for consensus. Most of the parties do not agree on the election of the Constituent Assembly. The government will stand where there is consensus.'
Sheikh Rafiqul Islam, president of Bhasani Anusari Parishad, said that the elected parliament will take the decision on how to reform the constitution. He told the daily newspaper, 'The next elected parliament will decide how to reform the constitution. If the constitution needs to be rewritten, they will do so by electing a Constituent Assembly. If he thinks that reform is possible only through correction, then he will do it.'
Leaders and activists of the parties said that the State Reform Movement did not participate in several programs of the Democracy Forum due to disagreements over reform methods. At the same time, differences have created distance between the top leaders of the stage. The issue of disagreement came up in the discussion of the leaders. However, they said that they will try to reach a consensus on this issue through discussion. If they cannot reach a consensus, they are also afraid of breaking the stage or more than one party leaving the stage.
It is known that since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, the discussion between the parties of the democracy platform on the question of the constitution has been going on. This matter was also discussed in the last meeting of Manch on December 30. However, the parties could not reach a consensus. Another meeting is scheduled to take a decision on the matter on January 25. The leaders and activists hope that a solution can be reached there.
Regarding the differences, Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan said, 'There are different opinions among the parties on the stage on how to reform. We hope it will reach a place soon.'
Saiful Haque said, 'We are discussing. It is not a disagreement. Everyone can have their own. We will try to reach consensus. If not in the end, they will promote their political programs.'
Mahmudur Rahman Manna said regarding the differences, the two parties are saying different things. A group says that there will be no Constituent Assembly. Another group says, they are thinking, what can be done.
Hasnat Qayyum said, there is tension, it is true. However, everyone has a sincere effort to prevent the front from breaking or splitting into two.
