Secularism a paradox in constitution

From left, Prof Harun-ur-Rashid, Prof Rehman Sobhan, Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman and Dr Kamal Hossain hold copies of a book, “Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice”, written by Dr Kamal and launched in the capital's Brac Centre Inn yesterday evening. Photo: Star

Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, chief adviser to a former caretaker government, yesterday said secularism was paradoxically abolished from the constitution although it was one of the four state principles.
“We had made Pakistan on the grounds of religion and we had broken Pakistan on the grounds of language. We could not have had our country without the help from India and Soviet Union,” he said, adding that nobody learnt from history.
Justice Habibur Rahman was addressing as chief guest a meeting marking the launching of a book, “Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice”, written by eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain in the capital's Brac Centre Inn in the evening.
Congratulating Dr Kamal for writing the book, Justice Habibur said Dr Kamal, while working for the 1971 Liberation War, had the unique experience of meeting heads of states and diplomats and holding negotiations.
Dr Kamal said the debate on the moment of proclamation of independence was very unexpected and unfortunate although Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself had never claimed to have proclaimed the independence.
He lamented the absence of a Liberation War martyrs' list.
After the ceremony, Dr Kamal told journalists that he was not hopeful of a free and fair parliamentary election under the present Awami League government although he worked and voted for Awami League.
“We have seen in 1986 and in February 1996 that the elections were not held in a free, fair and peaceful manners under political governments,” he said.
A good number of eminent citizens attended the book launching ceremony.