Commission recommends replacing preamble of Constitution

The Constitution Reform Commission
has recommended replacing the preamble of the Constitution.

The Commission constituted in September, led by Prof Ali Riaz
submitted its report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on January
15.

A summary of the recommendations has also been published on the
commission’s website.

The Commission recommends the following Preamble for the
Constitution:

“We, the people of Bangladesh, in continuation of our long and historic
struggle for the liberation of the people of this land, having gained
independence through a people’s war and having fought unitedly
against dictatorship and fascism for establishing democracy;

By recalling with deepest respect the sacrifice of all martyrs, pledging the
establishment in our State and society the high ideals of equality, human
dignity and social justice that inspired our people in the war of
independence in 1971 and the high ideals of democracy and
nondiscrimination that united us against the fascist regime in 2024;

In exercise of the sovereign rights of the people, adopting and enacting
this Constitution for the people of Bangladesh by declaring the ideals of
equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism and democracy as the
fundamental principles of this Constitution, which embodies the highest
aspirations of the people, shall ensure inclusive and collective national
development and shall protect the rights of the present and the future
generations;

Solemnly declare that this Constitution shall unite all citizens in the spirit
of mutual rights, responsibilities and accountability, guarantee the
representation of the people in the governance of the Republic at all
times, foster international peace and cooperation and uphold the
sovereignty of Bangladesh;

With people’s consent, do hereby give to ourselves this Constitution as
the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.”

The fascist Awami League (AL) government had dislodged in face of the
student-people mass uprising on August 5 last after over 15 years of
misrule. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country after
tendering her resignation. The Interim government had formed on
August 8.

As part of the state reform, the interim government chief Prof
Muhammad Yunus in his televised speech for the nation on September
11, announced to form several commissions including Constitution
Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission, Judiciary Reform
Commission, Public Administration Reform Commission, Police Reform
Commission and Anti-Corruption Reform Commission. (BSS)