Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Appeals as Bangladesh swings away from secularism to Islam

A coalition of leaders of different political parties, minority religions (including Christianity) and indigenous communities has appealed to the government of Bangladesh to reinstate the principles of the 1972 Constitution. 

At a rally May 27, the new group called for recent amendments enshrining Islam as the state religion to be dropped.  

However, earlier this week Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came out in favour of retaining Islam as the state religion, moving away from  the secular provisions in the constitution that were incorporated when the country gained independence in 1971.

The Constitution of Bangladesh declares the state to be a secular democratic republic where sovereignty belongs to the people and lays down fundamental political and rights of citizens.  

It rests on the principles of nationalism, democracy, socialism and secularism as the fundamental principles defining the Republic.

Hailed originally as one of the most progressive and democratic constitutions in modern history, the charter was eroded by amendments during periods of socialist and military rule.  

However in 2005, the High Court passed a landmark judgement that declared constitutional amendments from the time of military rule illegal and unconstitutional, and hence nullified, bringing a return to the original constitution.

After several legal protests, the Bangladesh Supreme Court, in January 2010, announced that the historic verdict of the High Court would be upheld. 

In July last year, the government formed a parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendment. 

This Special Committee gave its first report this week on Wednesday (June 8).  

It recommended that the controversial declaration Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the most Merciful) be retained in the Preamble, and also the retention of Islam as the state religion. 

It also recommended equal status and rights in performing religious activities by all religious groups including Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.

As the Committee gave its recommendations, the High Court of Bangladesh issued a challenge to the government, asking why the insertion of Islam as state religion by 8th amendment of the Constitution should not be declared to have been made without lawful authority. 

Hearings on the issue begin next week.  

The petitioners bringing the case, originally filed the action in August 1988, just two months after parliament had adopted the 8th Amendment Act that introduced Islam as the state religion.  

Referring to previous judgments, counsel said that the article - Islam as state religion - should not exist anymore, as it created confusion and contradictions in the Constitution.

If the eminence of a particular religion is given the status of State religion overlooking the other religions, there remains a chance of growing communalism, religious fundamentalism and militancy in the country, Counsel for the petitioners argued. 

There are just over 200,000 Catholics in Bangladesh.  90 per cent of the population of 150 million, is Sunni Muslim.  

It is the poorest nation in the world and the world’s third largest Muslim country.  

Hindus account for 9 per cent of the population, with the rest being Buddhists (0.7 per cent) and Christians (0.3 per cent).