PM takes a swipe at those seeking constitution reform

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today slammed those seeking constitutional amendment again, saying that these people were either advisers to military dictators or worked with them in other capacity and licked their boots and begged their mercy.

"While discussing, some people don’t see any democracy [in the country], some are pushing for forming Constitution Reform Commission for constitutional amendment, some are saying many things, when I see these faces some of them were once advisers to the military dictators, some did job with them, some licked their boots and some begged their mercy. At that time, the door of their conscience was shut," she said.

The prime minister was addressing a function arranged marking the laying of the foundation stone of the Tatthaya Bhaban (Information Building) on the premises of DFP (Department of Film and Publication) at city’s Circuit House Road.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laying the foundation stone of the Tatthaya Bhaban (Information Building) on the premises of DFP (Department of Film and Publication) at Circuit House Road, Dhaka. Photo: PID

The PM’s remarks came in the wake of recommendation by a 13-member group called 'Concerned Citizen's Group' on Tuesday to form a ‘Constitution Reform Commission’ to bring necessary changes in the charter for an ‘effective democratic system’.

The proposed commission will also seek to work on how to bring checks and balances between the power of the president and the prime minister. The group made the recommendations after a roundtable titled “Checks and balances of power to achieve fuller democracy” at the capital's Brac Centre Inn.

Former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, former TIB executive director Manzoor Hasan, former caretaker government advisers M Hafizuddin Khan and Rasheda K Chowdhury, Executive Director of Policy Research Institute Ahsan H Mansur, Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder, eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik and local government expert Tofail Ahmed were present at the programme.

The premier said: “After assuming office, the government has created the scope for freedom of expression opening the door of their free thinking… the more they’ve got democracy, the more they’ve started demanding. They’re always demanding more, more and more," she said adding there are some demerits in making unwise demands.

She said the present government has ensured the right of expression of speech. "Everybody is talking… everybody is speaking out their minds. They’re getting that scope," she said.

The prime minister requested them to recall the situation during 1991-96 and 2001-2008. "How much had they been to talk at that time, you should think about that," she said.

Held with Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed in the chair, the programme was addressed, among others, by Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu.