Badiul Alam Majumder, Editor of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN) commented that lame arguments are being given about the July charter and referendum. He said the July National Charter and the referendum on the part of it — which the people approved, should be the last word. Which is said to be fully implemented to the letter. It is being glossed over and many lame arguments are being made. For example, there is an argument that it is not in the constitution.
He made this comment in the round table discussion on ‘Politics of Repeal of Ordinance and Refusal of Referendum: Bangladesh in the Era of Parliamentary Dictatorship’ held at Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of National Press Club on Wednesday. The meeting was organized by the Reform Implementation Committee of National Citizen Party (NCP).
Badiul Alam pointed out that although it is not in the constitution, elections were held in the past by forming a caretaker government. He raised the question, Justice Shahabuddin became the head of the caretaker government around 1990, which constitution was there? That he went back again or what was the constitution?
This member of the previous Consensus Commission said, another argument is being given, about ‘Note of Dissent’. ‘Note of Dissent’ is a minority view or opinion. This is the special parliamentary committee of 14 people. Among them, 11 are from the ruling party and three are from the opposition party. Those who are outnumbered are making decisions. We agree and disagree. The decision reached in our Consensus Commission is also the opinion of the majority. And those given ‘dissent’ (objection) are the opinion of the minority. The opinion of the majority is acceptable.
Badiul Alam Majumdar said, we are facing a crisis. One is the crisis caused by the outside world, which has and will have a terrible impact on us. Besides, we are creating the crisis ourselves, by rejecting the verdict of the referendum or arguing about it. Ordinances that would ensure transparency and accountability of government and bring welfare to people are being sought to be repealed. These will deepen the crisis.
Badiul Alam commented that unity is most needed in the present context. He said, today we need unity the most. Through the unity that was built under the leadership of the youth, we brought down the dictatorial system. We thought about a new future that day, we dreamed. Today it’s going to be fake. We ourselves are creating unnecessary disunity among us. By fiddling with the referendum and simultaneously repealing the ordinances.
Farida Akhtar, the adviser of the previous interim government, said that the circumstances in which the interim government was formed, the mass coup that took place, did not comply with any constitution. We gave the election. If we are not in the constitution, then how is the election constitutional? The current government is in power with all these random things. If they now question that they obey everything in the constitution, then they are lying or lying.
Political scientist Dilara Chowdhury said that if the July referendum is canceled, then this government will also be canceled with the cancellation of the referendum. That is clear.
NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said that only two months after the formation of the BNP government, there are clear signs of repressive tendencies. We have seen Awami League, gradually reached this stage. But BNP is moving towards their success very quickly.
Barrister Abu Hena Razzaqi, Voice for Reform Co-convener Fahim Mashroor, NCP Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam, Joint Convener Javed Rasin, Monira Sharmin and others participated in the discussion.
