Dhaka: The Constitution of Bangladesh was subjected to frequent amendments losing original characteristics and democracy was at stake during post-1975 power shift, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has surmounted many impediments to restore the constitution and democracy, she added.
The rule of law was defeated and democracy was exiled, she said, adding that democracy was almost extinct.
“Bangladesh has gone a long way in bringing it to where it is today.”
The Speaker was delivering valedictory speech of the thirteenth session of the Eleventh Parliament on Saturday.
“Illegal seizure of power by military dictatorship, constitution sustained injury one after another. Instead of the rule of law, culture of infinity was established in the country,” she said.
To institutionalise democracy requires a lasting democratic practice and basic structure, she opined.
“I am not saying that there will be no discussion and criticism about democracy. Rather, constructive criticism strengthens constitution. Criticism is more acceptable if it understands the right point of view.”
She said various steps may be taken to further refine the democratic system, she said, adding that fear about losing basic structure of democracy was available. “Democracy needs to be consolidated by making this structure stronger and stronger. Economic development must continue. We have to move forward keeping all the achievements.”
Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said “Today we can see that Bangladesh is moving forward under the leadership of the Prime Minister by disproving all prophecies of scholars and researchers at different times and disproving all the negativity. It reminds us of the immortal message of self-confidence of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that nobody will be able to resist us (Bengalis).”
The Speaker said Bangladesh has made a unique shift from bottomless basket to a developing country. How has the massive change taken place? “We have to look through the lens of history to understand the underlying cause of the change.”
To consolidate democracy, a lasting uninterrupted democratic practice and basic structure was required. “In that context, let me analyse the history of the evolution of democracy in Bangladesh. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave us in 1972 one of the best constitutions in the world.
Democracy, nationalism, secularism, and socialism are the four principles. But after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on August 15, 1975, the constitution was violated frequently.”
That constitution with basic structures was essential and a prerequisite for the restoration of the dying democracy was realised by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Prime Minister realised that democracy has to be put on track through acceptable elections within the constitution.
“She (Prime Minister) realised that we have to bring back the rule of law, right to justice and right to vote, to build the basic structure,” the Speaker opined.
