Gono Forum, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, yesterday demanded that steps be taken to free the transport sector from political influence and laws be properly enforced to restore discipline in the sector.

The party came up with the demand at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

“Political influence not only helps corruption spread but also make people indifferent to law. Ultimately, the rule of law is hampered. It is applicable for all sectors, including transport,” said Dr Kamal Hossain.

The main reason behind the prevailing anarchy in the transport sector is lack of good governance, said the eminent jurist. “It's necessary to ensure impartial and effective enforcement of laws to ensure good governance.”

Dr Kamal, also the convener of Jatiya Oikyafront, said police must enforce laws so that the goal for which these are framed can be achieved. But if the police are influenced by anybody then they become weaker, and deviate from the rule of law.

Gono Forum will form a human chain in the capital on April 1, to push for its 14-point demand to ensure safe roads, and restoration of discipline in the transport sector.

The programme, which will be held in front of Jatiya Press Club, is also meant for registering the party's protest against the government's move to hike gas tariffs.

Gono Forum general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu announced the programme at the press conference.

“We took to the streets demanding safe roads earlier when students waged a movement to this end. We're also going to form a human chain from 3pm to 5pm in front of Jatiya Press Club on April 1 with the same demand in line with the students and youths,” he said.

Through the programme, Montu said, they will also protest the fresh proposal for raising gas tariffs.

He urged the people of all walks of life, including students, to participate in the programme.

The party also demanded security on the roads in front of public and private hospitals, installation of footbridges and speed-breakers on roads in front of educational institutions, a stop to extortion in the transport sector, creating a fund supervised by a regulatory body for victims of road accidents, and taking suggestions from experts and giving priority to people's interests in constructing roads and bridges and working out transport strategies.

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain today demanded release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

“I am demanding release of all political prisoners including Khaleda Zia before Eid so that we can observe Eid with our dear and near ones,” Kamal said in a statement.

Kamal, also convener of Jatiya Oikyafront, extended Eid greetings to the countrymen and sought blessings ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

He urged the authority concern to stop repression and harassment on opposition party men.

He also urged to withdraw of all cases lodged against Khaleda Zia and others opposition leaders and activists.

"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.

Dr Kamal Hossain, president emeritus of Gonoforum, has proposed the interim government to establish a commission to address the challenges of the Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) community.

The commission will be given a mandate to address the challenges and explore new opportunities by engaging meaningfully with the diaspora community, Dr Kamal said in a letter dated September 4.

Addressing the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, he wrote, "I am very pleased and encouraged by the steps you are taking to address the urgent political and economic issues affecting the country…"

While proposing the establishment of the commission, he wrote that it could explore how non-resident men and women, particularly young people of Bangladeshi heritage worldwide, can participate and contribute more to the country's development.

"I sincerely hope you will consider this proposal sympathetically and act at your convenience," Dr Kamal wrote in the letter.