Inclusive Opinions Needed for Acceptable Constitutional Amendment: Salahuddin Ahmed

Online Desk : Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendment would prepare an “acceptable” reform proposal by seeking opinions from political parties, constitutional experts and people from all walks of life.

Speaking to reporters after the committee’s first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Salahuddin, who chairs the committee, said the body would follow an open and inclusive approach in drafting its recommendations.

“We want to prepare an acceptable amendment proposal with the opinions of people from all classes and professions, including political parties,” he said.

The committee’s inaugural meeting, held in the Cabinet Room of Parliament, began at around 12:30pm and concluded an hour later.

Salahuddin said the committee would consult constitutional experts, lawyers, professional organisations, political parties and other stakeholders before finalising its recommendations. Individuals and organisations interested in offering suggestions would also be given the opportunity to do so.

He said the committee’s recommendations would later be converted into a constitutional amendment bill to be placed before Parliament for discussion and approval.

“We want the amendment to be adopted through understanding so that it reflects public expectations,” he said.

According to Salahuddin, the committee will also seek to incorporate proposed democratic reforms related to the structure of the state into the amendment package.

He said the first meeting focused on preparing a list of individuals and organisations to be consulted and setting a timetable for the consultation process.

The minister did not specify when the committee would submit its report, saying no deadline had yet been fixed.

Responding to questions about the opposition’s absence from the committee, Salahuddin said the government had requested the opposition to nominate five representatives but had not yet received the names.

He expressed hope that the opposition would reconsider its decision, adding that the committee would seek opinions from all opposition lawmakers regardless of whether they formally joined.

Suggestions, he said, could be submitted during committee meetings or in writing.

The committee is set to review 48 constitutional reform proposals included in the July National Charter. Proposals that secured political consensus will be incorporated into the amendment recommendations, while issues on which the BNP expressed dissent will be recorded as notes of dissent.

Salahuddin also said the committee would examine constitutional reform commitments included in the BNP’s election manifesto that were not reflected in the July National Charter.

Referring to the July 2024 mass uprising, the Home Minister said the movement had raised public expectations for democratic reforms and stressed the need to rebuild the country in line with the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives during the uprising.