Inu proposes formation of parliamentary body to review constitution

Jasad President Hasanul Haque Inu today proposed formation of a parliamentary committee to review the constitution — to remove the issues that conflict with its fundamental principles.

He proposed to make the Prime Minister the head of that committee and include members from all political parties represented in the parliament.

He made the proposal while participating in a discussion on the motion brought by the parliament on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Jatiya Sangsad.

Parliament Leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday moved the motion.

Harshly criticising BNP-Jamaat, Inu said that BNP and Jamaat, who “practice corrupt politics”, have threatened to completely change the constitution with their so-called 27-point and 10-point demands.

He said that BNP is still talking in favour of their misdeeds committed after 1975.

“BNP is talking about Bangladesh, but there is Pakistan in its heart. BNP is actually Pakistan's proxy player in Bangladeshi politics,” he added.

Inu said that BNP wants to “destroy the constitution and bring back the razakars in politics.”

The former information minister said that the Prime Minister gave more importance to the formation of a sovereign government after returning to the country.

“The history after that is the history of Sheikh Hasina's leadership… history of Sheikh Hasina's success. She was able to bring back the parliamentary system,” he said.

The president of Jasad, a partner of the 14-party alliance, said that Sheikh Hasina took the flag of unity in the face of all criticisms and formed 14 parties and grand alliance in 2008, canceling the “Minus 2” theory and bringing the strength of the Liberation War to power with a massive number of votes.

Inu said that the Prime Minister is moving forward with the plan to make the country ‘Smart Bangladesh’, which requires modern administration and a more participatory democratic parliamentary system.

He said a parliamentary committee should be led by Sheikh Hasina to amend the constitution by taking into account the proposals that are being discussed in the political arena through a more participatory system.

He suggested: “Amending Article 70 by excluding the No Confidence Bill and Finance Bill and the important Defense Bill, giving MPs more power to make laws, opening up the standing committees of parliament, establishing full authority of all local government representatives and amending Articles 59 and 60 of the Constitution.”

He advocated for compelling the state to implement universal healthcare, education system, food system and social security system and the right to universal access to the internet as a fundamental right of the constitution and review the appointment and impeachment of judges.“The state has no gender, religion,” Inu said.

Consideration should be given to abolishing what is in conflict with the basic structure of the constitution, he said.

“I propose formation of a special committee headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to review the constitution with all the political parties that have representation in the parliament,” he added.