Take public opinion before constitutional amendment

Shujan President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad speaks at a roundtable at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. On his right is Badiul Alam Majumder and on his left are ASM Shahjahan, Sultana Kamal and M Hafizuddin Khan. Photo: STAR

Public opinions should be taken to amend the constitution making it relevant to the 21st century, said civil society members yesterday.
Contradictory remarks by legal and constitutional experts regarding the Supreme Court verdict on the fifth amendment, fate of religion-based political parties and original constitution of '72 are creating confusion among people, they said at a roundtable discussion on constitutional amendment organised by Shushashoner Janya Nagorik (Shujan), a citizen's platform.
The discussion was presided over by Shujan President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad.
Muzaffer said a parliamentary committee has already been formed and discussions are going on about the SC verdict but contradictory remarks of the experts are confusing people.
There is a need for extensive discussion on the issue among the citizens of the country and thoughtful recommendations from them, he said.
Awami League leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the special parliamentary committee formed for the constitutional amendment did not seek any public opinion yet.
A social movement is necessary in favour of the constitutional amendment, he added.
Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University said the organisations, which use religion to gain political advantage, should be banned through enacting law.
Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof Muniruzzaman Miah said the state can be secular but not any individual.
“The '72 constitution does not seem faulty to me but the framers of the constitution themselves had changed it through the fourth amendment,” he said.
The discussion was moderated by former inspector general of police ASM Shahjahan. Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, Sultana Kamal, M Hafizuddin Khan, Dr Dilalra Chowdhury, ASM Abdur Rob, Ruhin Hossain Prince also spoke at the discussion.
Shujan secretary Badiul Alam Majumder presented the keynote paper at the discussion.