Restore four principles of '72 constitution
116 organisations urge govt at human chain
Forum for Secular Bangladesh and Trial of War Criminals of 1971, a platform of 116 organisations, forms a human chain in front of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday demanding reinstatement of the four fundamental principles of the 1972 constitution. Photo: STAR
Leaders of 116 socio-cultural organisations at a human chain yesterday urged the government to restore the four basic principles of 1972 constitution to build a secular and non-communal Bangladesh. They also demanded exclusion of "Bismillah," from the constitution and said no religion should be declared as the state religion in it. The original 1972 constitution had four basic principles: Secularity, Nationalism, Democracy and Socialism (meaning economic and social justice for all). However, later amendments replaced Secularity with "Absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah shall be the basis of all actions." The 116 organisations jointly organised the mega programme from Mritika Babhan at Farmgate to Asad Gate in the city at 9:30am yesterday. The organisations include Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Sector Commanders' Forum, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Jano Sanghati Samiti, Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum and Bangladesh Muktijuddah Sangsad. Hundreds of people from all walks of life joined the one-kilometer long human chain. Lawmakers Rashed Khan Menon and Moinuddin Khan Badal, former Army chief KM Shafiullah, Shahriar Kabir, freedom fighter CR Datta, Sector Commanders' Forum Vice President Abu Osman Chowdhury, former chairman of Muktijuddha Sangsad Central Command Council Abdul Ahad Chowdhury and its present chairman Helal Morshed Khan, among others, joined the human chain.
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