BNP urged not to encourage undemocratic forces

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Awami League (AL) central leader and former Minister for Home Affairs Mohammad Nasim has urged BNP not to take any move that might encourage undemocratic forces in national politics. The AL leader said this, while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on "On-going move for amendment of the constitution, a milestone in the forward march of democracy" organised by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Parishad at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) auditorium in the city Monday, reports BSS. Dhaka Mohanagar AL General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya attended the function as the main speaker. Chaired by Parishad president and Mohanagar AL publication and publicity secretary Abdul Haq Sabuj, the discussion was addressed, among others, by BSS Managing Editor Azizul Islam Bhuiyan, city AL office secretary Shahidul Islam Milon, film actor Denny Sidak, Bangabandhu Moncha Chairman Niaz Mohammad Khan, Awami Ulama League President Maulana Elias Hossain bin Helali, Parishad General Secretary Abdul Hai Manik and Joint Secretary Mohammad Abdul Karim Khan. Mr Nasim said, despite having a clear majority in parliament, the grand alliance led by AL has taken initiatives to amend the country's constitution through forging national consensus with views, opinions and suggestions from all political parties as well as all conscious sections of the society. He said the initiative to amend the constitution was not taken voluntarily, but to honour the directives of the apex court of the country to recast it attuned to the four basic principles of the 1972 constitution of the country. AL leader Maya said the 1972 constitution was regarded as the most sacred document. But after the 1975 changeover, military ruler General Ziaur Rahman demeaned the sanctity of the constitution by incorporating the infamous indemnity bill and undermining the four state principles. He demanded punishment to those involved with such an evil move. Mr Sabuj demanded arrest of Mufti Amini and his accomplices who in the name of politics are out to destabilise the social life through various nefarious means.