Constitution Amendment Power Belongs Solely to Parliament: Advisor Hasan Arif

Land Ministry Advisor A. F. Hasan Arif has stated that no government has the constitutional authority to amend the constitution. Only Parliament holds the power to make constitutional amendments.

Speaking at a discussion titled “Public Participation in Constitution Making: Struggle for an Inclusive Democratic State Building” at the RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium of Dhaka University on Wednesday evening (November 20), Hasan Arif made these remarks. The event was organized by the World Religions Debating Club of the Department of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University, as part of their Fifth Interfaith Harmony Debate Festival’s closing ceremony.

Arif further explained that there is a notion being spread that an interim government might amend the constitution. However, he clarified that no government has the constitutional right to amend the constitution; this power belongs exclusively to Parliament. The Parliament that will be formed in the future will be responsible for making any amendments. The key question, he said, is what kind of amendments they will make.

He added that the current public demands, expectations, and aspirations are being presented through various commissions. Not only that, they will provide a draft, recommendations, and suggestions. This draft will serve as a “citizens’ charter” for the future Parliament, which will work on implementing it. Through their own perspectives, the Parliament members may introduce new elements into the draft or suggestions presented to them.

In a lighter moment, Arif commented that the argument of a lack of interfaith culture in Bangladesh could be likened to the idea that the sun rises in the West, pointing out the absurdity of the claim.

The event featured discussions with legal historian Rashed Rahman and member of the National Citizens’ Committee, Mohammad Miraj Mia.

Special guests included the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Siddiqur Rahman Khan; Director of the Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue Center and Professor of the Department of World Religions and Culture, Dr. Mohammad Ilyas; Chairman of the Department of World Religions and Culture, Professor Dr. Mohammad Abu Sayem; Moderator of the World Religions Debating Club, Dr. Abdullah Al Mahmud; President of the Dhaka University Debating Society, Arpita Goldar; General Secretary Adnan Mustari; and President of the World Religions Debating Club, Ragib Anjum.