Salahuddin: Constitution is not ‘literature’, no need to include July Declaration

Staff Correspondent

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The constitution is not literature. When even the Declaration of Independence has not been fully included in the constitution, there is no reason to include the July Declaration.”

He made this remark on Thursday, July 10, while responding to journalists after a discussion with the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Salahuddin Ahmed further stated, “During the Liberation War of 1971, the Mujibnagar government was formed on April 17 based on the April 10 Declaration. However, when the new constitution was drafted on December 16, 1972, after the war, the declaration was not fully incorporated—only some key aspects were added. Now, if the question arises of including the July Declaration in the constitution, demands will also emerge to include the Declaration of Independence, the November 7 Revolution and Solidarity Day, and the 1990 Mass Uprising in the constitution.”

The BNP is sincere in recognizing the movement of ’24. However, instead of including the entire declaration in the constitution, the spirit of July and the legitimacy of the caretaker government could be added to the Fourth Schedule of the constitution, commented Salahuddin.

Responding to allegations that the BNP has no interest in the July Declaration, he said, “Although a draft reflecting the BNP’s stance on the declaration was sent to two advisers on February 12, no response was received for months. A few days ago, when one adviser contacted, the BNP promptly replied. The BNP has always been sincere regarding the July issue.”

Regarding the BNP’s stance on the appointment of the Chief Justice during the National Consensus Commission’s discussion, Salahuddin said, “The BNP agrees with the proposal that the President can appoint the Chief Justice from the two senior-most judges of the Appellate Division without consulting the Prime Minister. However, several political parties disagree on this matter, so no final decision has been made yet.”

Apart from the BNP, representatives from 30 political parties, including the war criminal organization Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Gonoadhikar Parishad, Gonosanghati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Revolutionary Workers Party, and AB Party, participated in Thursday’s discussion.