"We must work together with the new generation, prioritise the aspirations of the people to build a democratic, just, and equitable Bangladesh."

— Dr Kamal Hossain

Constitutional reforms should be done after taking people's opinions into account, said Dr Kamal Hossain, one of the framers of the constitution.

"No individual should change it [constitution] with the stroke of a pen," he said at a discussion yesterday.

"If a person, even if it is the president, feels that something is wrong, it would not be appropriate for them to change it single-handedly. They should proceed with amending the constitution only when a strong consensus or majority opinion has been established," Dr Kamal said.

Bangladesh Democratic Lawyers' Association organised the event to mark the day the constitution was adopted 52 years ago.

"We noticed that 15 to 16 amendments were made to the constitution. It was done from the realisation that it is made by human beings. The provision which was deemed right 10 years ago might create problems in a changed scenario. Then the constitution can be amended. But the people have to be taken on board to do that.

Dr Kamal, also the emeritus president of Gono Forum, said the reforms should be done with an aim to eliminate all forms of discrimination.

"We must work together with the new generation, prioritise the aspirations of the people to build a democratic, just, and equitable Bangladesh. Our commitment is to ensure a nation free from discrimination, where no one faces inequality based on gender, religion, ethnicity, political beliefs, or any other identity. All constitutional reforms must be made with this objective in mind."

He said people must remain vigilant about how the constitution is being interpreted, whether it is being interpreted correctly or misinterpreted.

The constitution is a document that is interpreted by people. Even the court interprets it, and the court can also make mistakes. The chief justice himself may err, he said.

Addressing the event, eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik criticised frequent changes in the form of the government.

"We formed 11 different types of governments in 52 years. Problems may arise in running a state, but the way we changed the form of the government is like changing a car because a tyre got punctured," he said.

Malik said it was a manifestation of the nation's immaturity regarding state operations.

"If we face any issue, we seek a solution only by changing the form of government. No one in the world does that, but it has become ingrained in us. And we think it is the only solution," he said.

Eminent historian Prof Syed Anwar Hossain said the current government has no right to amend the constitution since it was not elected. This government can only recommend amendments that have to be made by an elected government.

"There is no provision for an interim government in the constitution. We got an unelected government after ousting the autocratic regime."

The court validated the current government under the doctrine of necessity.

Prof Anwar alleged that although the supreme court is the custodian of the constitution, it failed to play its role. "The court followed the government's order and has been doing so."

He opined that prime ministers should not serve more than two terms.

Speaking at the programme, Supreme Court Bar Association President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said the debate over whether to amend the constitution or write a new one was dividing the nation.

"If any amendment is made or the constitution is rewritten, who will approve it? The last parliament? That's not possible. The future parliament? What if it does not approve it? So, it'll only widen the split," he said.

He also said a consensus should be reached through discussions with political parties that the amendments will be made when they are voted to power.

Among others, Bangladesh Democratic Lawyers' Association President Subrata Chowdhury, General Secretary Zahidul Bari, senior lawyer Mohiuddin Abdul Kader, and SMA Sabur spoke at the programme.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today said action will be taken after investigation against those who launched an attack on Gono Forum President and Jatiya Oikyafornt key leader Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday.

Terming the incident sad and unexpected, the CEC said, “The incident is a criminal offence and will be investigated as per the law.  We will send this to the election inquiry committee. They will probe it.”

“Dr Kamal Hossain is a senior citizen and a renowned personality. An attack on him is undesirable and unexpected,” he said.

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Motorcade of Dr Kamal attacked

Huda said this at a press briefing at the Election Commission this afternoon.

WHAT DID CEC SAY ON THE RECENT SPATE OF ATTACKS?

The CEC said a letter will be sent to the Home Ministry tomorrow or the day after to ensure no politician is harassed, said KM Nurul Huda.

However, the CEC reiterated that a level-playing field has been ensured and candidates are electioneering peacefully.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ATTACK?

Dr Kamal Hossain’s motorcade was allegedly attacked at the Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum in Mirpur area of Dhaka yesterday morning.

The motorcade came under the attack when Dr Kamal was coming out of the mausoleum after paying tributes to the martyred intellectuals around 9:45am, Latiful Bari Hamim, a staff of the Oikyafront’s media wing, told The Daily Star.

Driver of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob, who was with Dr Kamal, was injured while the attackers, chanting slogan “Joy Bangla,” vandalised several vehicles of the motorcade, said Hamim.

However, both Dr Kamal and Rob were unhurt, he further said.

Selimuzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Darussalam Police Station, said police rushed to the spot sensing untoward noise but did not find anyone in the area.

Kamal Hossain was accompanied by some top leaders of Jatiya Oikyafront, including: Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury; BNP leader Abdus Salam; Reza Kibria, son of slain former Awami League Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria; and others.

They went to the Martyred Intellectuals Mausoleum on the occasion of the Martyred Intellectuals Day yesterday.

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain today said they are working to expand their alliance to intensify their ongoing movement to "restore democracy".

"Our goal is to forge a strong unity of people and other likeminded political parties. We're working on it," he said while exchanging greetings with leaders and activists of Gonoforum at his Bailey Road residence.

The Gonoforum chief said they believe such unity "is imperative to get rid of the undemocratic situation".

Dr Kamal said the country's people are being deprived of a democratic system.

"Our goal is to restore democracy and give back people the control of the country as soon as possible. We'll intensify our movement to reach our goal in the interest of the country and its people," he said.

The Oikyafront chief said they are thinking of strengthening their movement by this year consolidating their unity to ensure "genuine" democracy and realise their all the justified demands.

He also said an anarchic situation has been prevailing in the country with the growing incidents of rape and killing of women for lack of democracy. "People are also going through immense sufferings. So, there's no alternative to genuine democracy."

As his attention was drawn to a speculation over a possible split in Oikyafront, Dr Kamal said there is no rift in their alliance. "We're going to sit at a meeting on June 12 to work out our strategy to take to the streets cementing our unity."

About Oikyafront leader Kader Siddique's ultimatum to quit the alliance by June 8, Dr Kamal said they have already talked to him in this regard elaborately, "We hope we'll be able to reach a positive decision on June 12."

Asked what they will do if the government does not accept their demand for holding a national election promptly, he said they are devising their plans to realise their demand.

At one stage of the programme, Gonoforum ex-general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu joined it and exchanged greetings with the party leaders.

Dr Kamal warmly received Montu, and wished him Eid Mubarak.

Replying to a question whether there is a distance between Gonoforum and Montu, party executive president Subrata Chowdhury blamed media for creating such hype.

Then Dr Kamal said, "You (journalists) have created it and now you can remove it."

Montu, who escaped Gonoforum's special council, was later made party's executive committee member while Reza Kibria was appointed party's new general secretary.

 

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday directed the authorities concerned to remove all illegal establishments along roads and highways across the country within a week.

The minister made the comment while visiting the Dhaka-Tangail highway at Chandra in the  district.

About the Jatiya Oikyafront's demand for a fresh election, Quader, also general secretary of ruling Awami League, said, “It's ridiculous to raise a question about the 11th parliamentary polls which got global recognition.”

He also urged the Oikyafront, an alliance of BNP and some other parties, to come to parliament to talk about their demands.

Democratic countries across the world, even Pakistan, recognised the polls, he said, adding, “In such a situation, Oikyafront's demand for fresh polls is just ridiculous.”