Mirza Abbas Calls Constitution Cancellation Attempt ‘Fascist’

Staff Correspondent

Mirza Abbas, a member of the BNP standing committee, said the constitution could be amended but not abolished. He expressed disappointment over the proposal by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement to bury the constitution. He said the constitution, written with the blood of martyrs, should not face such a fate.

He said amendments could be made to address flaws in the constitution. He criticised the language of the proposal, calling it fascist. He spoke at a press briefing at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan on Sunday.

Mirza Abbas accused the government of appointing pro-government officials to key positions in the secretariat. He questioned whether such appointments were part of a plan to bring back the Awami League.

He said the government talks about reforms but has not made significant progress. He said there is freedom of the press but not of journalists. He urged the government to make necessary reforms and announce an election within a specified timeframe.

Mirza Abbas criticised the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement for attempting to take sole credit for public protests. He said protests began in public universities but later included private universities, general people, and political activists. He warned that unilateral claims could create divisions.

He said the BNP does not focus on gaining power but on restoring people’s voting rights. He dismissed claims that the party’s 17 years of struggle were in vain, comparing the movement to constructing a building from the ground up.

Mirza Abbas said the BNP wants fair elections and believes people will elect the party to power. He cautioned against assuming widespread public support and acting arbitrarily.