Hasnat Abdullah, one of the key coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, has emphasized the importance of political parties clearly articulating their stance on the 1972 constitution.
He made the call from a joint press conference at the Central Shaheed Minar premises on Wednesday evening.
Anti-discrimination Students Movement and Jatiya Nagorik Committee jointly organized the press conference.
The both platform called for national unity demanding the removal of the president and the constitution of 1972.
Jatiya Nagorik Committee convener Nasiruddin Patwary also spoke at the program.
Hasnat also said: “Our one-point demand was the abolition of fascist system and a new political settlement. Every political party has taken to the streets in solidarity with our one point. Our primary goal has been achieved with the fall of Sheikh Hasina. Through the constitution of 1972, fascism has been established, fascist has been organized and it has spread.”
“When we talked about caretaker government and elections, they always used to talk about constitutional continuity. After discussions with the Chief Adviser, various political parties want to sustain the President in the name of constitution. There will be a call to them to clarify their position on the question of the constitution of 1972 and our coup. Because those who have expressed solidarity with the mass upsurge in one point cannot support the constitution of 1972.”
"The post-1971 constitution is the Awami League constitution and the constitution supported by BAKSAL. Bangladesh was run on the ideology of Mujib behind this constitution. This BAKSAL constitution is irrelevant in Bangladesh after the mass uprising of 2024.”
Hasnat further said: "We want a new constitution through national unity that will reflect the aspirations of the people and block the path of new fascism."
He said that the constitution is abrogated; the constitutional continuity of the president will not be required.
“I want the unity of every democracy-loving political party, but there will be no connection between Mujibbadi and Jatiya Party. Mass upsurge will be transformed into revolution through 5 points. We can move towards a permanent solution to the Bangladesh question.”
Calling for national unity, Nasiruddin Patwari said: "We do not want the BAKSAL rotten constitution of 1972 to prevail in Bangladesh. The constitution of 1972 is the root cause of all the crises in Bangladesh.”
Nasiruddin also said: "We have called for national unity to all the political forces of the mass uprising. Part of the Hasina fascist regime still exists. We do not want to see any part of the fascist regime in Bangladesh. This has to be decided by the political parties.
"I will invite the political parties. You will not take any hasty decision to protect Bangladesh. Get united to demand the removal of Chuppu, who is part of the Hasina fascist regime. Unite to tackle the political crisis. I call upon all to unite in tears to demand the removal of Chuppu and the cancellation of the 1972 constitution.”
He also said: “The chief adviser had a meeting with different political parties today (Wednesday). We have seen that they are working on keeping the parts of the fascist regime. Part of the fascist regime is still seen in Bangabhaban. If Chuppu is not removed, there will be a constitutional and political crisis.”
July Shaheed Smriti Foundation General Secretary Sarjis Alam, Nagorik Committee spokesperson Samanta Sahrmin, its members--Ariful Islam Adib, Srobona Shafiq Dipti, Tasnim Zara and Manzur-Al-Matin, ADSM spokesperson Umama Fatema, coordinators Abdul Kader and Nusrat Tabassum were also present on the occasion, among others.
