Leading legal and constitution experts and dignitaries on Saturday emphasised the necessity of political consensus for amending or rewriting the constitution, aligning it with people’s aspirations, particularly in the spirit of the July-August Students’ Movement Against Discrimination.
Senior journalist Saleh Uddin presented a draft constitution at the event, proposing significant changes to the existing framework.
Key recommendations included restructuring the government and parliamentary systems, limiting the terms of the prime minister and president to two terms, introducing the position of deputy prime minister, establishing a constitutional court alongside the Supreme Court, restoring the caretaker government system, forming the caretaker government through a national council.
Participants said that while the reforms are essential to strengthen democratic governance, political unity is important to ensure their legitimacy and implementation.
The draft constitution was unveiled at a discussion organsised by Law Reporters Forum at the National Press club.Â
The meeting was conducted by forum’s acting president Hasan Jabed with general secretary Moneruzzaman Mission’s welcoming speech.
Attorney general Md Asaduzzaman has endorsed the call for rewriting or amending the constitution, describing it as a timely and necessary step in the aftermath of the July-August revolution.
He hailed the move as a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to overthrow Sheikh Hasina’s ‘fascist’ regime.
However, the attorney general cautioned about the constitutional limitations of the post-revolution interim government.
‘The interim government remains within the existing constitutional framework,’ he said, referencing Article 93 of the Constitution, which governs the president’s authority to issue ordinances during periods when Parliament is dissolved.
The attorney general questioned whether the interim government could initiate or approve proposals to rewrite or amend the Constitution.
He reminded that all ordinances must be presented to Parliament for approval in its first session and would automatically expire after 30 days unless Parliament approves them.
Former Appellate Division judge, Justice Md Abdul Matin, stressed the importance of collective agreement to honour the supreme sacrifice of the students.
Former High Court Division judge, Justice Syed Mohammad Dastagir Hossain, expressed skepticism about achieving such consensus. ‘If consensus is reached, it will benefit the nation greatly,’ he said.
Electoral reform commission chief Badiul Alam Majumder criticised the existing constitutional provisions for undermining democracy and democratic institutions.
Right lawyer Sara Hossain advocated for constitutional reforms to curb autocracy while stressing the need for consensus on restructuring constitutional bodies, law enforcement agencies, and media regulations.
Senior lawyer Ahsanul Karim highlighted the need for reform to balance the powers between the prime minister and the president, emphasising that only elected representatives should initiate constitutional amendments.
Rastra Sanskar Andolan’s chief coordinator AHM Hasnat Qauiyum asked for the reform of constitutional bodies to ensure credible elections.
Media reform commission chief Kamal Ahmed attributed the ongoing political crisis to constitutional flaws and proposed a dialogue among all stakeholders.
Chakma Circle chief Raja Debashish Roy called for ensuring constitutional recognition of ethnic minorities’ rights, emphasising equality during reforms.
Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir criticised different aspects of the draft constitution presented in the programme.
Other speakers, including judiciary reform commission’s member and former district and sessions judge Masder Hossain, senior lawyer Mustafizur Rahman Khan, journalist and poet Sohrab Hassan, and Dhaka University law teacher Psymhe Wadud, echoed calls for reforms to strengthen democracy and aligning governance with people’s expectations.
