AL failed to protect secularism in 15th amendment

Secular people in Bangladesh are continuously being marginalised, human rights activist advocate Sultana Kamal said yesterday.

Women are trying to find security under veils while the first words children learn to utter are of their religious identity, she told a programme on presenting a memorial speech on Bangladesh's constitution.

Banglar Pathshala Foundation, a socio-cultural organisation, held the programme at Dhaka University's (DU) Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.

Regimes under two generals during 1975 and 1990 directly patronised extremist and militant Islamisation, added the executive director of Ain o Salish Kendra.

It affected ordinary people's lives so much that the ruling Awami League, which held the spirit of secularism and led the Liberation War, failed to take a clear stance on the question of secularism in the 15th amendment to the constitution, she said.

The present constitution says Islam is the state religion while simultaneously talks about secularism, something that is contradictory, speakers said.

Bangladeshis are generally pious but never fanatics. However, through the 5th and 8th amendments, Islam was made state religion while anti-liberation forces were rehabilitated during 1975 and 1990, said Sultana Kamal.

“As a result, the state held the character of a communal and reactionary one. It had a profound impact on politics and on social, economic and cultural spheres,” she said.

The authorities concerned are facing endless sufferings today while holding trials for crimes against humanity and even common people are becoming victims of petrol bombs and their lives being adversely affected for continuous strikes, she said.

“Lives and properties of non-Muslims and Adivasis are becoming targets,” said Sultana Kamal.

Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman of DU said the present constitution was close to the one of 1972 though there were some contradictions that needed to be corrected.

Regarding cancellation of the caretaker government provision, he said the issue appeared to have caused a confrontation between Awami League and BNP.

However, the caretaker government issue also created problems over the appointment of its chief in 2006, he said, stressing on upholding democracy.

Jurist Dr Kamal Hossain called on taking people's opinions before amending the constitution. People also need to be made more aware of civil and political rights so that they can hold governments accountable, he noted.

Prof Dr MM Akash of DU's economics suggested completing the trial of war criminals, banning religion-based politics and starting a cultural revolution for the development of progressive thoughts.

Law Commission member Dr Shah Alam also spoke.