Last Updated:
The Attorney General of Bangladesh, Md Asaduzzaman, also sought a change in the designation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is referred to as the ‘Father of the Nation’
A vandalised mural depicting Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman days after a student-led uprising ended the 15-year rule of his daughter Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. (AFP File)
The Attorney General of Bangladesh, Md Asaduzzaman, has asked for the word secular to be removed from the country’s Constitution, arguing that “90 per cent of the population was Muslim”. Asaduzzaman has also sought a change in the designation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is referred to as the ‘Father of the Nation’, with India calling both the moves the rise of radical Bangladesh.
Presenting his arguments during a court hearing on the legality of the 15th Amendment before Justices Farah Mahbub and Debashish Roy Chowdhury, the Attorney General said the changes “would align the Constitution with the country’s democratic and historical ethos”.
“Earlier, there was constant trust and faith in Allah. I want it the way it was before. It is said in Article 2A that the state shall ensure equal rights and equality in the practice of all religions. Article 9 talks about ‘Bengali nationalism’. It is contradictory,” he said.
He added that many of the amendments, including labelling Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the “Father of the Nation”, divide the nation and restrict freedom of speech. “Honouring the contributions of Sheikh Mujib is vital,” he said, “but enforcing it by law creates division”.
Top Indian government sources told CNN-News18 that more such changes would follow, adding that the Attorney General’s move was in line with the Yunus government. “The Jamaat-e-Islami is running its agenda in the country,” they added.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN BANGLADESH?
A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Tuesday asked the international police organisation Interpol to issue a notice for the arrest of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with the deaths of hundreds of protesters during a mass uprising against her.
Hasina fled to India on August 5 this year with her close aides and former ministers, ending a 15-year rule. Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as the interim leader of the South Asian nation on August 8, and later reconstituted the tribunal that once handled charges of crimes against humanity during the country’s 1971 independence war against Pakistan. The Yunus-led government has promised to try Hasina and said that it would seek her extradition from India.
- Location :
Dhaka, Bangladesh
