Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, an ally of the BNP-led government, on Tuesday questioned calls to discard the constitution, asking whether it evokes “the document of the defeat of ’71,” in remarks directed at Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Speaking during the first session of the 13th parliament, Andaleeve criticized proposals to “throw away” the constitution and asked: “Why should we throw away the constitution? Why is there so much irritation with this constitution? Does the constitution remind you that it is a document of the defeat of ’71?”
He made the comments while participating in a general discussion on a motion of adjournment (Rule 62) on a matter of public importance.
Andaleeve said his party has “no problem with July,” but objected to the process being followed. “If you wanted to tear up the constitution and create a new one, then why did you not form a revolutionary or transitional government at that time?” He asked.
“Remaining within a regular government, within the old constitution, you are trying to abolish the constitution—this actually does not work,” he added.
Describing the constitution as a document of the Liberation War, Andaleeve said it could be amended if needed. “Why should we throw it away? If we want, we can change or amend it. There is no need to discard it,” he said.
The lawmaker also criticized what he described as Jamaat’s “double standards.”
“All your life you have done politics against India, and now you are holding meetings with them. Again, after doing politics in the name of Islam all your life, at the end you are saying for votes—we do not want Sharia law. What is the problem? Please maneuver my words a bit. Bring positive politics,” he said.
He added that he saw a tendency to brand dissenting voices as being “against July.” “If anyone speaks, there seems to be an attempt to portray them as standing against July. This reminds me of the Bangladesh Awami League government. Back then, even if we spoke about fuel prices, it was said—they do not want the trial of war criminals. Now I am seeing the same behavior.”