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).