A roundtable meeting on constitutional reform and challenging issues was held in the city on Monday.
Bangladesh Center for Governance and Development and Dhaka International University jointly organised the discussion at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club.
Eminent personalities participated in the meeting on constitutional reforms and challenging issues of the interim government with the aim of building a prosperous, beautiful and sustainable Bangladesh in the future.
Dhaka International University Research Cell and Bangladesh Center for Governance and Development Director Professor Dr. Md. Shariful Alam, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DIU, delivered the welcome speech on the occasion.
In his opening remarks, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua said that the constitution did not connect different language speakers. Chakma, Marma, different ethnic groups of Sylhet region are not even recognized.
“We have to decide whether we will reform or rewrite,” he said.
Former Jatiya Party Lawmak
er Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari called for attention to increase the powers of the President in the Constitution.
“We have to decide whether there will be a President-ruled or Prime Minister-ruled system. Now is the time to decide on a governance system. Where it is possible to reduce the authority of the Prime Minister by increasing the power of the President,” he added.
Nurul Haque Noor, president of Gono Adhikar Parishad, said it is possible to amend the constitution by containing the revolution in the 53-year history of Bangladesh. Along with the constitution, political party reforms are also needed.
Zonayed Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said people’s intention should be given importance in constitutional reform. The aspirations of the students are in line with the constitution of 10th April, 1971.
“There is an imbalance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. Article 70 restricts the independence of the legislature,” he said.
Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, genera
l secretary of Gonoforum, said that the constitution should not be drafted based on just the July revolution. The spirit of 1971 must be remembered too, he said.
Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, Joint Member Secretary of AB Party, said that democracy will not be fully developed as long as people do not go to the polling station and vote of their own free will.
Senior journalist Masud Kamal said constitutional reform is undeniable in the practice of sound democracy.
JANIPOP Chairman Prof. Dr. Major Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah presented an analysis of the discussion.
Source: United News of Bangladesh