Remove words ‘secularism’ & ‘socialism’ from Bangladesh statute: AG

DHAKA: Bangladesh attorney general Md Asaduzzaman has called for removing “socialism” and “secularism” from the country’s constitution, sparking concerns that the predominantly Muslim nation could be shifting toward an Islamic state. The proposal comes just months after the mass uprising that unseated the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League govt early Aug.
According to agency reports, Asaduzzaman argued during a high court hearing on the validity of the 15th constitutional amendment that “socialism and secularism do not reflect the realities of a nation where 90% of the population is Muslim”. The suggestion intensified debate over Bangladesh’s future ideological direction.
The country’s top law official, appointed by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt, asserted that “democracy, not socialism, can be the fundamental principle of state policy,” and urged the court to declare the 15th amendment unconstitutional, suggesting that only select provisions be retained.
The 15th amendment, passed in 2011 under the now-ousted Awami League administration, designated “nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism” as foundational principles of Bangladesh’s state policy, restored freedom of religion, and increased women’s representation. The amendment also abolished the caretaker govt system for overseeing elections, introduced capital punishment for unconstitutional regime changes, and designated Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the “father of the nation”.
Asaduzzaman contended that the amendment “directly contradicts” the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War, the anti-autocracy movement of the 1990s, and the mass uprising in July-August 2024. “If this amendment is not scrapped, the souls of the martyrs, including Abu Sayeed and Mugdho (Mir Mahfuzur Rahman), won’t rest in peace,” he said.
Referring to Mujibur Rahman, popularly known as Bangabandhu, the attorney general accused the Awami League of politicising his legacy for partisan gain. “Mujibur Rahman was the undisputed leader of Bangladesh, but Awami League politicised him in the party’s interest.”
Kamal Hossain, one of the original framers of the constitution, voiced opposition to the attorney general’s stand. He emphasised that constitutional changes should not be undertaken unilaterally. “Reforms should be carried out only after taking people’s opinions into account,” he said.
Hossain also criticised the controversial Article 7A, added under the 15th amendment, which criminalises any attempt to suspend or subvert the constitution through force or unconstitutional means. Such acts are classified as sedition and are punishable by death.
Hossain argued that this restriction curtails democratic change and disregards the recent popular movement that overthrew Hasina’s Awami League administration of 15 years. He called for the restoration of the caretaker govt system.
Stop Hasina remarks
Dhaka has urged New Delhi to prevent ex-PM Hasina from making political statements from India, said Toufique Hasan, a spokesperson for Bangladesh foreign ministry. Asked about the process of bringing Hasina back to Bangladesh to appear before the country’s International Crimes Tribunal, Hasan said the ministry has not received any request from relevant authorities.