Annulling 5th amendment to retrieve secularism without deleting “bismillah”

After rescinding 5th amendment to the constitution four principles of independence including secularism will be retrieved without deleting “bismillah” from it.
At a press briefing Law Minister Shafique Ahmed clarified the position of the government amid protest by BNP and its ally Jamaat concerning detrimental effect of 5th amendment saying that “Former BNP law minister is spreading rumour and misleading nation with a motive to manipulate the situation politically.”
He said BNP men’s claim that “bismillah” will be deleted due to annulment of 5th amendment is contrary to the fact as it remains at the top of preamble of the constitution which will not be touched.
However, he said four state principles upon which the country was liberated including secularism, democracy, socialism and solidarity will be retrieved due to cancellation of 5th amendment.
He said it is out of question to restore 4th amendment or ‘baksal’ because there are many observations in judgment in 5th amendment case stating that all activities of army rulers will be treated as past and closed transaction but their martial rules will be treated as illegal.
The law minister clarified “The country will continue to have an elected democratic government like now despite cancellation of 5th amendment.”
Since the state being neutral has no religion and fundamentalism affects the progress of democracy, it is imperative to avoid using religion in the constitution, he said.
He said a civilian meaning Khandker Moshtaque cannot rule the country by means of proclaiming martial law flouting the constitution which is highest law of the country and the Supreme Court, entrusted with upholding supremacy of the constitution, has rightly declared the 5th amendment illegal and unconstitutional.
He termed the HC judgment in 5th amendment case as historical saying in this verdict people’s expectation has been manifested leading towards democracy and constitutional government.
Shafique Ahmed said those who are spreading rumour against annulment of 5th amendment do not believe in spirit of liberation war and independence of the country although public has accepted the verdict.
In a query as to what will be situation if the Appellate Division passes judgment against cancellation of 5th amendment, he said he hopes that the Appellate Division will pass judgment positively in the interest of upholding constitution and spirit of independence.

Courtesy of The Bangladesh Today