PM lambasts those seeking charter reform

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday slammed those seeking fresh constitutional changes, saying that they were either advisers to military dictators or worked under dictators in various capacities.

"While discussing issues, some people don't see any democracy [in the country].

Some are pushing for forming a constitution reform commission.... Some of them were once advisers to military dictators, some served under them, some licked their boots and some begged them for mercy. Their conscience was shut up at that time," she told a programme in the capital.

The event was organised to mark the laying of the foundation stone of Tathaya Bhaban (Information Building) on the premises of Department of Film and Publication on Circuit House Road.

The PM's remarks came a day after Concerned Citizen's Group, a platform of distinguished personalities, called for forming a "constitution reform commission" to bring necessary changes to the charter for an effective democratic system.

The proposed commission will also seek to work on how to bring checks and balances between the power of the president and the PM. The group made the recommendations after a roundtable discussion titled "Checks and balances of power to achieve fuller democracy" in the city.

Former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, former TIB executive director Manzoor Hasan, former caretaker government advisers M Hafizuddin Khan and Rasheda K Chowdhury, Executive Director of Policy Research Institute Ahsan H Mansur, Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder, eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik and local government expert Tofail Ahmed were present at the discussion.

The premier said, "After assuming office, the government has created the scope for freedom of expression by opening the door to free-thinking… the more democracy they have, the more they demand. They're always demanding more, more and more."

The government has ensured the right of expression of speech, added Hasina. "Everybody is talking… everybody is speaking out their mind. They're getting that scope."

She requested the eminent citizens to recall the situation during the 1991-96 and 2001-2008 tenures of BNP's rule.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, PM's Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Ministry AKM Rahmatullah addressed the programme, among others.