Politics
‘Automatic Approval Like Exam Auto-pass Has No Place in Constitution,’ Says Salahuddin Ahmed
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has described as “ridiculous” a proposal under the July Charter that would allow reforms to be automatically approved if not passed by the Reform Council within 270 days.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the government’s legal adviser Asif Nazrul at the Secretariat on Tuesday (October 28), Salahuddin said, “Something like auto-pass in exams cannot exist in the constitution. The National Consensus Commission made this proposal just to absolve itself of responsibility.”
He expressed hope that the government would take a decision based on legal and constitutional grounds. A four-member BNP delegation attended the meeting to request that each party be allowed to contest elections with its own symbol, even within an electoral alliance.
Commenting on the National Consensus Commission’s recent report, Salahuddin said it had created divisions instead of unity, and that BNP disagreed with several of its recommendations. He added that the party was not consulted before the report was submitted and would formally present its views within the next few days.
Earlier in the day, the National Consensus Commission submitted its recommendations to the Chief Adviser at the state guest house Jamuna, outlining ways to implement the July National Charter. The report was handed over by Commission Vice-President Ali Riaz to its President, Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Rajshahi city unit held a protest rally on Tuesday (October 28), demanding justice for what the party termed the “Paltan killings” that occurred in Dhaka on October 28, 2006. The rally took place at Gankapara intersection in Rajshahi around 4 pm as part of a central programme.
Speakers at the event described the 2006 incident as a “disgraceful chapter” in the nation’s political history, recalling that several activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir were killed during political violence near Baitul Mukarram in the capital.
They said those responsible for the “logi-boitha (pole-and-stick) attacks” must one day face justice in Bangladesh. The speakers added that the brutality of that day shocked the conscience of people both at home and abroad, terming the incident a rare example of open violence in the country’s political sphere.
Following the rally, a documentary based on the October 28, 2006 events was screened.
The programme was presided over by Dr. Maulana Keramat Ali, a central executive committee member of Jamaat-e-Islami and Amir of Rajshahi city. It was conducted by city secretary Imaj Uddin Mondol.
Among others who addressed the gathering were Advocate Abu Muhammad Selim, Dr. Mohammad Jahangir, Professor Mahbubul Ahsan Bulbul, Jasim Uddin Sarkar, Professor Abul Kalam Azad, Touhidur Rahman Sweet, Salauddin Ahmed, Hafez Nuruzzaman, and Mostafizur Rahman Ashu.
A youth wing activist of the opposition BNP was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Raozan upazila of Chattogram on Saturday afternoon. The victim was identified as Mohammad Alamgir, known as Alam, 49, son of Abdus Sattar from Siddiq Chowdhury Para under East Raozan.
According to police and witnesses, Alamgir was returning home on a motorcycle after attending a family program when gunmen opened fire near the old graveyard beside Rashid’s Para mosque around 4:30 p.m. He died on the spot.
Locals alleged that law and order in Raozan has long been under the influence of “individual control” rather than administration. “There’s no real authority here — one strongman replaces another, but violence never stops,” said a resident who preferred anonymity.
Officer-in-Charge of Raozan Police Station Monirul Islam Bhuiyan said no case has been filed yet but police are conducting raids to arrest the attackers.
Earlier on October 7, another BNP activist from Raozan, Muhammad Abdul Hakim, was shot dead in neighboring Hathazari upazila. The two killings have sparked tension and fear across the region.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has sought unconditional apology for the party’s “past mistakes.”
According to party sources, he made the remarks during a meeting with journalists in New York on Wednesday.
“We admit our past mistakes and seek unconditional forgiveness from the people of Bangladesh,” said Dr. Rahman.
He also called for a referendum on the proportional representation (PR) system and other national issues before the next general election.
Dr. Rahman noted that there was “no uncertainty” about holding the national election before Ramadan in February.
“If Jamaat comes to power, minority communities will enjoy full constitutional protection and live without fear,” he added.
On relations with India, the Jamaat chief said, “We want a relationship based on equality and mutual respect.”
The party’s central office later said the remarks reflect Jamaat’s ongoing effort to “reaffirm its democratic and inclusive political stance.”
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