The Islami Andolon Bangladesh has proposed changing the constitutional name of the country from the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the People’s Welfare State of Bangladesh.
The proposal was submitted on Thursday afternoon when the party handed over its reform recommendations to the Commission’s Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz, at the National Consensus Commission office in the National Parliament Building.
Alongside the name change, the Islami Andolon Bangladesh outlined four core proposals: self-purification, accountability, Sharia law, and proportional representation.
While presenting the reform proposal, the party stated that it agreed with 145 out of the 182 recommendations made by the National Consensus Commission. However, it disagreed with 26, and in response, submitted 41 new proposals along with the four fundamental ones.
Highlighting the core proposals, Presidium Member Ashraf Ali Akon said: “Without self-purification at the national level, people cannot be honest, competent, or patriotic. That is why we emphasized the need for self-purification at all levels.”
He added that accountability must exist in four areas: to Allah, to conscience, to the people, and to higher authorities.
Criticizing the current legal system, Akon said that it has failed to prevent injustice, corruption, misrule, theft, and rape.
He demanded the implementation of Sharia law, claiming it to be a universal system that includes provisions for people of all religions.
“Sharia law is highly effective in eradicating wrongdoing and upholding virtue. Even the BNP agrees with the implementation of Sharia law and has assured us that they will not enact any anti-Sharia legislation,” he said.
The party also called for a proportional representation (PR) electoral system. “We demand all elections be held under a PR system. It is the most effective way to permanently prevent dictatorship,” Akon explained.
He added that the Islami Andolon Bangladesh has proposed both parliamentary elections and a direct presidential election by popular vote.
Regarding the proposed name change, Akon said: “Bangladesh should become a welfare state. We proposed the name People’s Welfare State of Bangladesh to reflect that spirit, so that the term Jankalyan (public welfare) doesn’t carry negative connotations.”
The party further demanded electoral reforms under a proportional representation system and expressed support for proposals aimed at establishing a balance of power and preventing future authoritarianism. Additional new proposals were also included.
Commenting on the submission, Professor Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission said: “After independence, efforts to reform the state have begun with the participation of all stakeholders. Political parties are cooperating in this initiative. Through this process, we hope to develop a national charter. We do not expect unanimous agreement on every proposal, but the commission will carefully review all opinions and hold discussions where disagreements arise.”
Professor Riaz also mentioned that the commission will hold daily dialogues with various political parties starting from next Saturday.
“Our goal is to complete the initial phase of discussions with all political parties by May 15. After that, we will begin the second phase,” he added.