Constitution reform to follow July spirit
The final decision on constitutional amendments will be taken in line with the principles and spirit of the historic July Charter of 2025, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said on Tuesday.
He said the proposed amendments would be finalised after consulting political parties and people from different sections of society.
The minister, a member of the special committee on constitutional amendments, made the remarks after the committee’s first meeting at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on August 4.
Asaduzzaman said the special committee had been formed under the prime minister’s direction based on the consensus of 33 political parties that signed the July Charter.
He said the constitutional amendment process would not remain confined to parliament and that opinions from professionals, civil society representatives and other stakeholders would be given due importance.
The committee will soon hold a series of consultations with the families of those killed in the July movement, injured protesters, representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Movement, senior journalists, the Supreme Court Bar Association, retired judges, National Press Club leaders, professionals and other stakeholders, he said.
The committee will also consult those involved in drafting the July Charter to translate its provisions into appropriate constitutional language.
Speaking about the committee’s composition, the law minister said the 17-member body included representatives from different political parties represented in parliament, including the BNP.
However, five seats reserved for the opposition remain vacant, he said, adding that the government was willing to include opposition nominees whenever their names were submitted.
Asaduzzaman said that although the opposition was not directly represented on the committee, many of its views had already been reflected in the July Charter.
He added that the principles established by India’s landmark Kesavananda Bharati case would also be considered during the amendment process.
“The necessary amendments will be introduced while preserving the basic structure of the constitution,” he said.
Committee member and Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam said the constitution was not meant for a particular government or period but served as the principal document for governing the state for future generations.
He said reforms were necessary to reflect changing circumstances and public expectations.
Nurul Islam noted that constitutions had been amended over time in many countries and urged all political parties, including the opposition, to participate in the reform process in the national interest.
The meeting, chaired by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, expressed hope that amendment proposals based on the core principles of the July Charter would be placed before parliament within the stipulated period.
Committee members said the proposed changes would seek to build a constitution suitable for a just and discrimination-free Bangladesh.
