Dhaka: Jamaat led 11-party alliance on Sunday rejected the government's initiative to amend the Constitution through a special parliamentary committee, demanding implementation of the constitutional reform process approved in the February referendum.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the alliance, represented by Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, stated at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club that they do not support any initiative for constitutional amendment in principle but are advocating for constitutional reform. The alliance emphasized that the parliamentary committee cannot replace the Constitution Reform Council, as envisaged under the July National Charter implementation framework, and insisted that the people's direct mandate must be respected.
The parliamentary special committee, formed in July and led by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, was intended to include opposition party members' views on the reform process. However, the 11-party alliance rejected this initiative, citing the February 12 referendum that endorsed specific constitutional reform proposals and mechanisms for implementation.
Parwar argued that the parliamentary majority cannot replace the people's mandate, nor can any special committee substitute for the sovereign will of the people. The alliance holds that Parliament and the Constitution Reform Council have distinct legal identities and sources of authority, viewing Parliament's constitutional amendment power as delegated and the people's authority as 'constituent power.'
The alliance raised concerns over the government's reliance on Article 142 of the Constitution, emphasizing that parliamentary amendment powers have constitutional limits, as demonstrated by the Supreme Court's rulings on previous constitutional amendments. They argued that fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be altered merely by a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
Parwar urged for the activation of the Constitution Reform Council, urging that elected representatives complete the necessary oaths. The alliance officially rejected the special committee's initiative on constitutional amendment, suggesting that there is still time for Parliament to activate the reform council in line with the referendum verdict.
11-party alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad noted that the alliance had decided against participating in the government's invitation for discussions after a top-level meeting. Despite participating in the July Charter process, the alliance refuses to engage in what it perceives as an alternative process for constitutional reform.
Parwar also contested the government's claim that the Constitution Reform Council lacks a legal basis, referencing Article 152's definition of 'law.' Meanwhile, the parliamentary special committee plans to consult various political stakeholders and experts before finalizing its recommendations.