Dhaka. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 due to the violent student movement, Bangladesh now seems to be on the path of becoming an Islamic country. The country’s Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman has advocated for this. He has suggested making major changes in the Constitution and removing many key words including secular.
90 percent population is Muslim
He said socialism and secularism do not present the real picture of a country where 90 percent of the population is Muslim. According to Bangladesh news, Asaduzzaman has suggested removing provisions like socialism, Bengali nationalism, secularism and giving the title of Father of the Nation to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
validity of constitutional amendment
He made such plea on the fifth day of the ongoing hearing in the High Court on the validity of the 15th Constitutional Amendment of Bangladesh. He advocated restating the original phrase, which emphasized unwavering faith in Allah. He also questioned the relevance of Bengali nationalism in Article Nine and termed it inconsistent with modern democratic principles. Asaduzzaman argued that these changes would bring the country in line with its democratic and historical character.
Only selected provisions remain intact
He also appealed for re-introduction of the referendum provision, which was abolished in the 15th Amendment. The Attorney General also opposed the move to end the caretaker government system, saying it was an attack on democracy. Ultimately he said that the interim government wants to declare the 15th Amendment largely unconstitutional and retain only a few select provisions.
bangladesh student movement
Asaduzzaman spoke to the media after the hearing and said that upholding the 15th Constitutional Amendment weakens the spirit of the liberation war, the people’s uprising of 1990 and the student movement in July this year. This amendment is a betrayal of martyrs like Abu Saeed and Mugdho.
Attorney General appointed
Let us tell you that students like Abu Sayeed and Mugdho were involved in the anti-government protests in Bangladesh in July. After the violent student movement, Sheikh Hasina government was ousted and she had to leave the country and go to India. After this, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Mohammad Yunus. Asaduzzaman was appointed Attorney General in this government.
What is 15th constitutional amendment
According to the Dhaka Tribune, the 15th constitutional amendment was passed in the Parliament of Bangladesh on June 30, 2011. In this, along with restoring secularism, Sheikh Mujibur was recognized as the Father of the Nation, the caretaker government system was abolished and the number of seats reserved for women in the Parliament was increased from 45 to 50.