Citizen unity has proposed 5 points to reform the constitution. These proposals were presented at the seminar on constitutional reform at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha of the capital on Tuesday.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagrik Oikya presided over the seminar.
It is said in the seminar, the civic unity thinks that the existing constitution needs to be reformed for the democratic transformation of the state. They put forward five proposals for this. These include—establishing separation of powers and rational balance between Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary, replacing the unaccountable, arbitrary, centralized power system centered on the Prime Minister, the source of constitutional autocracy; establishing a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister; By reforming Article 70 of the Constitution to guarantee the right of independent opinion and representation of the people on all bills except the vote of confidence and the passing of the budget; Abrogate the constitutional power to impose restrictive laws on the people; To establish a democratic and accountable state, government and constitution ensuring the full functional independence of the judiciary; To prevent the Prime Minister from interfering in the appointment of the Auditor General and Comptroller to ensure financial accountability of the Executive.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna said in his speech, 'We want such an election, which everyone can accept with joy. In such an election the government will be established, a sense of democracy will come into the country. We can build a democratic country based on this. This means that the main task is to select. We change the constitution, we reform the country, we all do it together. This will require consensus. Bangladesh is already very divided. In terms of feeling, in terms of thinking, in terms of work, in terms of team. If this division continues, then progress cannot be made. We have to insert our views, do it together.'
BNP Standing Committee member at the seminar. Abdul Moin Khan said, 'The liberation war of 1971 and the student revolution of 24 are not contradictory. Just complement each other. If we look at things from that perspective, there is no need for conflict. Today, almost 53 years after independence, where we have reached, we have to clearly realize that Bangladesh will not develop in conflict politics.'
Moin Khan also said, 'Constitution for the people, not the people for the constitution. If we believe this wholeheartedly, then I see no conflict between the question that comes up today—rewriting or amending the Constitution. Because our main objective is not the constitution, our main objective is the people. So we will do whatever is necessary for the welfare of the people. If necessary, I will rewrite or amend the constitution.'
Jonaid Saki, the main coordinator of mass solidarity movement in the seminar, said that the fascist government has fled, but the friends of the fascists are still in a strong position. The government that the movement to overthrow was not only expelled, they fled the country. This is the first time since Laxman Sen It is very clear that people do not want to go back to the old system. But fascist power is not sitting. Almost every moment they are trying to subvert democracy.
Regarding constitutional reform, Jonaid Saki said, whether the constitution will be reformed or rewritten, this question is now being raised. I would say we need to talk about this more than just fixing new proposals. We propose to create a balance of power. No one can be prime minister for more than two terms, a practice in many countries. Power needs checks and balances.'
In the seminar, Shakib Anwar, the organizing secretary of Nagrik Oikya, presented the proposal on constitutional reform. He said that the Pandora's box that will be opened if the constitution is rewritten or the current constitution is thrown away and a new constitution is drafted, it will be impossible to close. Some may want an Islamic republic, some may want Bangladesh to move forward based on the great liberation war of 1971, some may want the history of Bangladesh to be rewritten based on the movement of the 24th. Divisions between the forces of the coup, including political parties and civil society, may become so clear that it may turn into conflict. He highlighted the rationale of reforms without rewriting the constitution.
Saiful Haque, General Secretary of Revolutionary Workers Party, Hasnat Qayyum, Chief Coordinator of State Reform Movement, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, Convener of Bhasani Followers Parishad and others were also present in the seminar.
