The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was adopted on November 04, 1972. The day passes unnoticed, uncelebrated each year. Our constitution is a statement of enduring values but we have failed to grasp its significance in our national life.
To recall, that was the moment when we had hardly overcome the trauma of the liberation war, and the nation was yet to return to its elements. Our constitution-framers, however, won't relent and presented the nation with a constitution that continues to give us meaning in our civic life.
Beyond our commitment to republicanism, the primacy of the constitution becomes vividly pronounced when viewed against the track record sullied by military takeovers. More than a cathartic relief, constitutional rule has, however, proved its resilience by its triumphant return and flourished on the basis of people's consent. In guiding the nation, the constitution is ordained to serve as a bulwark against anti-republican tendencies.
In historical perspective, it is the first-ever constitution the Bengalees have had as a sovereign nation. But, despite its significance in our national life, we have collectively failed to commemorate November 04 as the Constitution Day. It is still conspicuously missing in the array of our designated national days even after more than four decades of our liberation. It exposes our failure to comprehend the singularity of the day when we embarked upon a new journey of leading our lives guided by constitution (in the USA, the Constitution Day is a public holiday).
The Constitution Day, if so dedicated, will serve as a reminder to the ruling party of the operable parameters of power within which it is to conduct and run the government with due regard to such limitations as imposed by the Constitution.
In a landscape like ours where constitution-awareness is wafer-thin, the Day, in its exclusivity, could be an eminent occasion to inform the citizens of the supremacy of the Constitution with regard to governance along with their rights and obligations to the state. One, however, should not be amiss to appreciate that the Day could also contribute to broadening the political horizon of the citizenry in general.
The objectives of the Day should be highlighted not only on the date of its observance, but should also be a continuous campaign until such time the citizens become familiar with them. Obviously, in this task, the prime responsibility shall rest with both the print and electronic media. On a broader perspective, consciousness about the Day constructed on a strong basis of constitutional values, should inspire the civil society not to bow to those who reject freedom and democracy.
Should the government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina dedicate November 04 as Constitution Day that certainly would be a robust articulation of our commitment to constitutionalism. For a national cause, it is never too late.
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