The government has officially kicked off the activities of a special committee formed to amend Bangladesh's constitution. However, with no representation from the opposition alliance, the amendment process is moving forward without their participation.
The 12-member parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendments is scheduled to hold its maiden meeting on Tuesday in the Cabinet Room of the Parliament Building. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who heads the panel, will preside over the session.
According to sources at the Parliament Secretariat, the initial meeting will focus on member introductions, defining the committee's scope of work, outlining strategies, and discussing preliminary aspects of the amendments. Subsequent meetings will center on drafting specific recommendations for constitutional changes.
The 12-member committee was constituted during the second session of the 13th Parliament on July 13, with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed appointed as its chairman. The committee’s primary mandate is to submit a report to Parliament recommending necessary constitutional amendments. No strict deadline, however, has been set for submitting the final report.
Although the ruling party requested the opposition alliance to nominate five members for the committee, the opposition declined to submit any names. On the day the panel was formed, opposition lawmakers walked out of Parliament in protest against the decision.
Clarifying their stance, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Leader of the Opposition, stated that they advocate for comprehensive constitutional reform rather than mere amendments. He asserted that the process should proceed through a Constitutional Reform Council to honor and implement the mandate of the national referendum.
On the other hand, Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam Moni noted that discussions were held with opposition leaders but they failed to provide any nominees. Consequently, the committee was formed leaving those posts vacant, with the assurance that opposition members will be inducted if they choose to submit names later.
The special committee comprises the Law Minister, the Chief Whip, and lawmakers from various political parties.
According to the government, the panel will formulate its recommendations after holding consultations with judges, lawyers, constitutional experts, intellectuals, media representatives, and various political parties.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that necessary changes must be brought within the existing constitutional framework, maintaining that a special parliamentary committee is the most appropriate forum for such deliberations.
Meanwhile, political parties remain divided over the implementation of constitution-related proposals outlined in the July National Charter. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) favors amending the constitution based on its own dissenting views. Whereas Bangladesh Jamat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and several other political organizations demand that the July Charter's proposals be implemented through a dedicated Constitutional Reform Council.
Sun News/ Zaman
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