The interim government, according to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, was appointed by those who led the July Uprising of 2024. As such, it can also be said to enjoy its mandate from the leaders of the Uprising. There is a firm expectation that this government would help bring about a state befitting the aspirations of millions who had taken to the streets in July 2024.

Following the recommendations put forward by a number of commissions that were formed to advise changes in various fields of public life, a National Consensus Commission has been working to gather the opinions of all the political parties, collate all the recommendations of the different commissions that were formed, and come up with a July Charter of reforms, before handing over the nation to an elected government.

Political parties and alliances will show flexibility and compromise in the interest of national reform and the establishment of a truly democratic system in Bangladesh, hoped Professor Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, this week.

"All political parties and alliances are expected to make some compromises for the sake of the nation, state reforms, and democratic governance. We have all come together in this effort," he said during a dialogue with the Jatiyatabadi Somomona Jote at Jatiya Sangsad.

The discussion was attended by commission members Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Safar Raj Hossain, and Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider, according to our sister newsagency UNB.

"We must come together -- not to agree on everything -- but to build consensus on key issues necessary for reforming the state and re-establishing democracy," Ali Riaz added.

The Preamble to the Constitution

BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and 14 other political parties and platforms sought changes to the basic principles of the constitution. Of them, 15 called for revisions to the preamble, and 11 advocated for changes to both the basic principles and the preamble.

According to the proposals sent to the Constitution Reform Commission, the 16 parties and platforms that sought changes to the basic principles include BNP, Jamaat, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Gono Odhikar Parishad (ex-Ducsu VP Nur faction), Bhashani Anusari Parishad, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), 12-party alliance, Khelafat Majlish, Ganosamhati Andolon, AB Party, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, Jatiya Nagorik Committee, and Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB).

Fifteen parties that sought changes to the preamble are BNP, Jamaat, Rastro Sangskar Andolon, Bangladesh Jashod, Labour Party, 12-party alliance, Ganosamhati Andolon, CPB, Jatiya Nagorik Committee, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, AB Party, Jatiya Gano Front, NDM, and Bangladesh Kalyan party.

BNP wants to keep "Bismillah-Ar-Rahman-Ar-Rahim" along with the Bangla text.

The party wants the preamble to read how it was prior to the 15th amendment, which was: "We, the people of Bangladesh, having proclaimed our independence on the 26th day of March 1971 and through [a historic war for national independence], established the independent, sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh..."

The 15th amendment changed this sentence to read "national liberation" instead of "national independence" in brackets, which had been introduced to the preamble through the fifth amendment of 1979 during the rule of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

BNP proposed that the section enshrining the ideals of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism be reverted to the form as prescribed by the fifth amendment. Currently the section reads, "Pledging that the high ideals of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, which inspired our heroic people to dedicate themselves to, and our brave martyrs to sacrifice their lives in, the national liberation struggle, shall be the fundamental principles of the constitution..."

The party suggested that it should read, "... Pledging that the high ideals of absolute trust and faith in the almighty Allah, nationalism, democracy and socialism meaning economic and social justice, which inspired our heroic people to dedicate themselves to, and our brave martyrs to sacrifice their lives in, the war for national independence, shall be the fundamental principles of the constitution..."

Jamaat called for significant changes to the preamble, saying that the "July revolution" should be recognised in the preamble.

It proposed that the first paragraph should read: "We, the people of Bangladesh, have established the independent and sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh declaring independence on March 26, 1971, through the historic struggle for national liberation; and are making all-out efforts to safeguard democracy in the country through different democratic movements, including the July Revolution of 2024."

The Islamist party also said that nationalism, democracy, economic and social justice, full trust and faith in almighty Allah, and multiculturalism should be the basic principles of this constitution.

The NCP proposed drafting a fresh constitution, forming a constituent assembly, and recognising the July uprising in the new constitution.

The proclamation of the Liberation War should be included as a proposal of the first republic, while a proclamation of the second republic should be included as a preamble to the new constitution, said the civic platform comprising the July uprising leaders.

Ganosamhati Andolon suggested that the proclamation of the Liberation War in 1971, the long struggle against fascism and dictatorship, and people's aspirations expressed in the 2024 mass uprising become the basis of a democratic constitution.

AB party advocated rewriting the constitution and making sweeping changes in the preamble to read: "After the independence, the old system of the republic based on the three principles of the proclamation of 1971 independence -- equality, human dignity and social justice -- has failed and become ineffective.

"Time and again, the people were shackled by one-party, military-civilian and dynastic dictatorships over the last 53 years, and the first republic fell in July-August 2024, ending a long period of fascist oppression in a student-led uprising.

"In the light of the Declaration of Independence, and since the first republic failed, the establishment of a second democratic state [second republic] has become imperative to build Bangladesh 2.0."

The Constitution Reform Commission proposed rewriting the first two sentences to read: "We, the people of Bangladesh, who achieved independence through a people's war as a continuation of the historic struggle for the liberation of the people of this land, and united in resistance against autocratic and fascist regimes to establish democracy;

"We, in solemn memory of all the martyrs' sacrifices, pledge to uphold the ideals of equality, human dignity and social justice that inspired the people of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War and the ideals of democracy and equality that united us in 2024 against fascist rule, aiming to establish these noble principles within the state and society."

The Basic Principles

BNP said the current principles of the constitution were added through the 15th amendment and should be repealed.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh is of the view that full trust and faith in almighty Allah should be the basis of all activities of the state.

The party proposed that the principles of the constitution should include equality, human dignity, social justice, government accountability, the abolition of fascism and hegemony, the elimination of bad culture, and good education aimed at creating ideal citizens.

Gono Odhikar Parishad (Nur) and Bhashani Anusari Parishad demanded that equality, human dignity and social justice be included as basic principles.

The 12-party alliance wants "religious freedom for all people" instead of "secularism", and "social justice and equitable distribution of wealth" in place of "socialism".

Khelafat Majlish suggested that steadfast trust and faith in Allah, active participation of the people, creation of a society free from exploitation, oppression and discrimination and ensuring public representation in all aspects of the state should be the basic principles.

Jamaat proposed that "nationalism, democracy, and economic and social justice, full trust and faith in almighty Allah and multicultural society" should be the principles.

Ganosamhati Andolon called for a non-discriminatory and democratic state that upholds the 2024 aspirations of students, workers as well as the masses, in the light of equality, human dignity, and social justice as stated in the Proclamation of the War of Independence in 1971.

AB Party recommended "equality, human dignity and justice" as the basic principles.

Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal proposed incorporating equality, human dignity, and social justice, as mentioned in the Proclamation of Independence, into the preamble, in line with the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising.

It also suggested keeping democracy, socialism, secularism intact, and qualified nationalism, "as being free from the influence of imperialism to ensure independent national development".

NCP advocates five new fundamental principles -- equality, human dignity, social justice, citizen rights and democracy.

Insaniyat Biplab Bangladesh proposed removing nationalism and socialism as basic principles, and suggested that they be replaced with religious values, state ownership by the people, freedom of life, and universal human rights.

The existing preamble contains the principles of nationalism, secularism, socialism, and democracy, while the Constitution Reform Commission proposes equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism and democracy.

The commission also recommends the deletion of articles 8, 9, 10, and 12, which elaborate on these key principles.

Proposals on State Religion

BNP and Rastro Sangskar Andolon don't want any changes in Article 2A as it stood after the 15th amendment. This article deals with state religion. It says, "The state religion of the Republic is Islam, but the State shall ensure equal status and equal right in the practice of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and other religions."

The eighth amendment, made during dictator HM Ershad's regime in 1988, declared that Islam would be the state religion.

BNP also wants articles 8, 9, 10, and 12 on nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism to be reverted to the versions prior to the 15th amendment.

Jatiya Gonofront proposed that people of all religions in Bangladesh shall have full freedom and equal rights, and religions should not be used in politics.

CPB, Bangladesh Jashod and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal sought scrapping of state religion and also proposed repealing the article.

Khelafat Majlish said Islam should remain the state religion, but the state will ensure dignity and equal rights for those practising other religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

The party also suggested that the state should take effective measures to protect the dignity of Prophet Muhammad (SM) and this should be included in the constitution.

Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) said respect for Prophet Muhammad (SM) should be an integral part of the moral and spiritual foundation of the state. Any intentional insult to the prophet should be regarded as an offence and punishable under the law for protecting public order and religious sentiment.

Closer to consensus

This week, the parties have been meeting the commission for a second round of meetings. The National Citizen Party has agreed to the National Consensus Commission's proposals to establish an electoral college system to elect the president, introduce a bicameral parliament, and allow lawmakers the liberty to vote against their party on all matters except budget bills and no-confidence motions in parliament.

The party was also in favour of officially declaring Cumilla and Faridpur as new administrative divisions. Speaking to reporters during a break in the meeting, NCP Joint Convenor Sarwar Tusher shared the party's positions on various reform proposals.

Tusher said the NCP has called for measures to prevent any individual or political party from taking control of the entire governance system.

The party has also proposed lowering the voting age to 16 and setting the minimum age for parliamentary candidates at 23. Currently, citizens can become voters at 18, and the minimum age to contest parliamentary elections is 25.

The NCP disagreed with the proposal to establish provincial governments and recommended strengthening local government institutions.He said the party recommended that elected officials from city corporations and other local government bodies be incorporated into the electoral college to widen democratic participation.

The party opposed the abolition of the positions of zila parishad (district council) chairpersons and upazila vice-chairpersons.

While the NCC proposed that union parishad chairpersons be elected by union parishad members, the NCP supported direct elections by the people. Regarding local government elections, Tusher said the NCP opposes the use of party symbols, arguing that such practices have led to widespread violence and irregularities at the grassroots level.

"Without party symbols, good and capable individuals from society will be able to represent the people."

Unlike the NCC, which proposed a parliamentary committee investigate post-tenure allegations against the Election Commission, the NCP disagreed, warning of politicisation of the process and recommending investigation by a Supreme Judicial Council instead.

The NCP also proposed that members of the opposition lead key parliamentary standing committees.

While this would not apply to all ministries, Tusher noted the party supports including opposition leaders in crucial committees such as those on public administration, public accounts, planning, and home affairs.

A major component of the NCP's reform plan is the creation of a permanent National Constitutional Council (NCC), comprising respected individuals such as former justices, constitutional experts, and nationally esteemed figures with moral credibility. This body would lead constitutional reform efforts and draft proposals on matters requiring long-term national consensus. The BNP is opposed to the formation of any such commission.

The council would also ensure that any amendment to fundamental state principles or major constitutional provisions is preceded by thorough national consultation. Tusher said the NCP supports holding referendums on such critical amendments, though referendums should not be mandatory for minor changes that do not impact state power or essential national issues. "It must be clearly defined which provisions will require referendums," he added.

The NCP also supports appointing the Chief Justice based on seniority. Additionally, the NCP has proposed establishing a separate Judicial Appointments Commission to ensure the impartial and merit-based recruitment of judges. The BNP proposed that the chief justice should be selected from among the three most senior judges of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, instead of the senior most judge, as proposed by the commission.

Additionally, the party supported the creation of a Judicial Appointment Commission, but emphasised that its structure and mandate should be discussed and finalised in parliament.

Jamaat and NCP agreed to the proposal for a two-term cap on the prime minister's tenure. The BNP, however, proposed allowing two consecutive terms for a prime minister, with eligibility for a third term only after a break of at least one term.

The BNP and the Jamaat called for defining the PM's tenure as five years, while the NCP endorsed the proposal for a four-year tenure.

One major area of agreement among all three parties was the introduction of a bicameral parliament.

All parties endorsed the proposal, seeing the creation of an upper house as a means to introduce broader regional and professional representation and to curb the concentration of legislative power in a single chamber.

The BNP, however, disagreed with the commission's recommendation for proportional representation in the proposed upper house, insisting that any decision on a bicameral legislature must come through open debate in an elected parliament.

Similarly, the reinstatement of the caretaker government system received unanimous approval from the three parties.

Acknowledging the NCP's proposals, Prof Ali Riaz said, "Our goal is to establish Bangladesh as a democratic state in the future. These dialogues will help create the roadmap toward that goal. We are hopeful that this process will guide the second phase of discussions."

"We are working... We hope to reach common grounds on the reform proposals, and we are currently negotiating with the parties," Prof Riaz also said.