‘Govt wants to restore 1972 Constitution’

Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said the government wishes to restore the Constitution of 1972 and abolish the state religion.

Referring to a remark of Rokeya Kabir, member secretary of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangstha, he said, "Rokeya Kabir mentioned that all are asking why the country still has Islam as its state religion. We have to bring people out of this idea that has been injected into their minds. For that, we have been continuing our efforts to restore the 1972 Constitution."

"We have to keep a bit more patience. After the killing of Bangabandhu, a situation was created in which people could not dare express their thoughts. If we can overcome this fear, we will be able to implement what Bangabandhu did with the 1972 Constitution," said the minister while attending a seminar, titled "Revisiting the Historical Journey of the Constitution of Bangladesh'', held at the capital's Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) auditorium.

We are certainly considering it [abolishing state religion], because we want to return to the 1972 Constitution. The government and the party [Awami League] will decide on it by considering the reality.

— Anisul Huq Law Minister

He was the chief guest of the event.

Responding to journalists' query on abolishing the state religion, he said, "We are certainly considering it, because we want to return to the 1972 Constitution. The government and the party [Awami League] will decide on it by considering the reality."

Addressing the event, Director of BILIA Prof Mizanur Rahman said to turn Bangabandhu's dream of "Sonar Bangla" into a reality, adherence to the spirit of our Liberation War is a must.

"Any deviation from the spirit may impair the essence and true spirit of the Constitution," he added.

Speakers at the event said the constitution could not retain its original spirit, as the country's 50-year journey of constitutional rule was interrupted several times by martial law, and a series of amendments either to ratify military rules or tailor the Constitution to successive governments.

To turn Bangabandhu's dream of "Sonar Bangla" into a reality, adherence to the spirit of our Liberation War is a must. Any deviation from that may impair the essence and true spirit of the Constitution.

— Prof Mizanur Rahman Director of BILIA

AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury, a former judge of the Supreme Court's Appellate Division, and Prof Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon of Dhaka University's law department spoke at the event, while BILIA Chairperson Barrister M Amir-Ul Islam presided over the seminar.

In another similar event marking the Constitution Day, eminent jurist Kazi Zahid Iqbal said citizens' fundamental rights and democratic processes were hampered through various amendments of the Constitution, done with political motives.

"From where we started our journey in 1971, our expectations have not been fulfilled. At different times, for various reasons, the rights of citizens and the democratic processes were hampered," he remarked while presenting the main article at the discussion titled "Constitution and Quest for Equitable Society".

"Some persons or groups used the mechanisms of the Constitution for their interests." he said.

Addressing the event, eminent jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik said, "Article-7 of the charter states that if anyone assumes power by postponing or abolishing the Constitution forcefully, it is treated as treason. The basic structure of the Constitution cannot be amended. It's a fundamental right."

The Constitution of Bangladesh was adopted on November 4, 1972. This year, the government observed the day as National Constitution Day for the first time.