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Speakers at a dialogue on Saturday stressed national unity among the political parties and organising of fair elections after bringing about massive reforms upholding the spirit of the War of Independence and student-mass uprising.

Some of them, however, gave opinions for laying only the base of the reforms before the elections, leaving the rest of the reforms to be completed by the elected political government.

Their remarks came at a national dialogue on ‘Responsibility for reforms and election roadmap’ hosted by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka city.

Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping retired brigadier general M Sakhawat Hossain said that if the state could not be reformed now, it would never happen.

‘We tried once in 2007. We carried out some tasks. But the tasks were not completed because of the ruling political parties. If we cannot do it now it will be an injustice to those who gave their blood in the July uprising. I am not saying that we will stay in power for four or five years. Reforms are possible within a year,’ he said.

Commenting on encouraging young people to form political parties, he said, ‘It  is not right to discourage them. We think new blood is needed.’

Sakhawat urged political parties to be patient, saying ‘we have to face difficult situations.’

Calling on the political parties, he said, ‘We want our country to be stable. We are facing challenges. You, they (the future rulers), will also face big challenges.’

‘A big, very big challenge awaits us. It is not just internal; the biggest challenge will come from outside the country. Our new neighbour is being created. It is not normal; it is a different neighbour. Arakan is now a new reality. Now we have to think about the matter.’

Sakhawat said that there must be a bicameral parliamentary system to ensure representations of varied communities living in the country.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said, ‘Many said in this dialogue that a crack has been created in the unity that was formed among the political parties to topple the Awami League regime, but I believe it is not right.’

‘We have differences of opinion on various issues. This is necessary for a democracy to work in sound health,’ he added.

‘Now is the time for cooperation. No political party or social organisation can do everything alone,’ he said.

Gono Forum co-chairman Subrata Chowdhury warned against a serious danger situation might surface if the canvas of reforms was widened. He urged for an election after minimum reforms.

¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· editor Nurul Kabir said that the student-led mass uprising had an aspiration for reform, and there was also a historical responsibility for democratic reforms in the constitution.

He suggested changing the name of Bangladesh to Jonogonotantrik Bangladesh instead of Gonoprojatontri Bangladesh in the constitution.

The editor also stressed reforms in the education sector to build a uniform education system for all.

He also suggested the recognition of basic necessities of food, clothing, education, shelter, and medical care as fundamental rights in the constitution and formulation of a legal mechanism to hold the state accountable if it failed to ensure those rights. 

Suggesting the abolition of state religion, he said making Islam the state religion did neither help Islam nor the state.

He further said that most of the population is Muslim and Bangalee who were in both ways the first majority and so the country does not need to award them any special constitutional protections.

The non-Bengali and non-Muslim communities of the country, however, needed special protection in the constitution, he further argued.

Dhaka University professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said that the greatest change would happen in 2025. Change would come from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, but there was no leader who could lead in the current situation in the Bay of Bengal region.

‘We may have new neighbour. New states may emerge. Therefore, a situation should be created where Bangladesh will lead internationally and geopolitically in South Asia,’ he said.

Rashed also said that the reforms and elections should not be seen as opposites, but should move towards minimum unity to hold the elections.

Ganosamhati Andolan executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel said that a new political settlement was imperative for democratic transition.  He suggested changes in the constitution through forming a constituent assembly.

Gazi Ataur Rahman, a leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh suggested organising a bicameral legislature and a proportional representation system for national elections for an effective parliament.

He also stressed minimum reforms to hold elections.  

Sarwar Tushar, a leader of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, proposed formation of a constituent assembly for formulating a fresh constitution.

‘A legal framework must be created to change the constitution and a constituent assembly must be formed to write the constitution anew,’ he said.

The constituent assembly could later become the legislative assembly or the national parliament, and if necessary, a referendum could be held, he added. 

Opposing Tuesher’s proposal, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal research cell Habibur Rahman said that such a constituent assembly would lack people’s participation.