Civil society members said on Sunday that a national consensus was essential for sustainable reforms in various sectors.
They said this at a discussion hosted by the National Consensus Commission at the auditorium of the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka.
Retired major general ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, expressed that the interim government should not alter the constitution.
He added that it was unrealistic to expect the current government to undertake all necessary reforms.
Justice Abdul Matin criticises the views that the constitution is untouchable.
Mirza Hassan pointed out that civil society had been speaking up and pressuring for 53 years, with limited outcomes.
Professor Gitiara Nasreen of Dhaka University expressed disappointment at the government鈥檚 role following the controversy surrounding the Women鈥檚 Affairs Reform Commission report.
She said, 鈥楾he commission was formed by the interim government itself, yet it鈥檚 being directly attacked,鈥� Gitiara said, adding that the government鈥檚 stance, however, on the issue is not clear.
Professor Samina Luthfa of Dhaka University鈥檚 sociology department remarked that women now were getting unique opportunities in politics.
鈥榃omen have always led movements, but returned to household duties afterwards, but now young women are expressing a strong desire to enter politics,鈥� she said.
Samina emphasised the need for political parties to create space for women and proposed a 33 per cent quota for women candidates in elections.
Basudev Dhar, president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, advocated for reforming the constitution while keeping the core principles of the 1972 version intact.
NCC vice-chair Ali Riaz said that civil society鈥檚 perspectives could influence political parties and other actors.
He said, 鈥楨ven if there is no complete consensus, the remaining issues should also be open for public engagement and discussion beyond political parties.鈥�
NCC members Safar Raj Hossain, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Iftekharuzzaman, Mohammad Ayub Miah, and Monir Haidar, special assistant to the chief adviser, among others, were present at the discussion.
