’15th amendment dealt direct blow to constitution’

NN Online:

Attorney General (AG) Md Asaduzzaman at a hearing at the High Court on Wednesday said the 15th amendment that scrapped the provision of caretaker government system, was the direct blow on the constitution.

The chief state counsel came up with the comments while taking part in the hearing on a rule issued by the High Court, challenging legality of the 15th amendment.

“A writ was filed by five prominent citizens of the country including Badiul Alam Majumdar in public interest, challenging the validity of the 15th amendment. The High Court after holding hearing on the writ, issued the rule. Many have filed applications after that as intervene, some in support of that plea, and some were against. As a whole, we do not want that rule to be scrapped,” he said while talking to newsmen at his chamber.

The attorney general said democracy in Bangladesh has been destroyed, fascism perpetuated and the supremacy of the constitution was violated by scrapping the provision of the caretaker government system through the 15th amendment.

“The rule of law and the independence of the judiciary have been undermined by that. We presented our explanations in the court as per the articles today. The 15th amendment was tantamount to fraud over the constitution. Through that amendment, people’s rights have been taken away,” he added.

The High Court on August 19 issued the rule asking why the 15th amendment of the constitution shall not be declared illegal.

On June 30, 2011, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh was made during the then Awami League-led government.

In this amendment, the caretaker government system was abolished and the number of seats reserved for women in the National Parliament was increased from 45 to 50.