Constitution can only be amended in parliament: Amir Khasru

The only legitimate place to amend or change the constitution is the National Parliament, and no amendment can be made without passing a proposal in parliament, said BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. He added that the current government has taken oath under this constitution, so any solution must also be found within it, not outside it.

He made the remarks as the main speaker at a discussion titled ‘Bangladesh’s Constitution and Reform Proposals’ organised by Gono Forum on Thursday, November 6, at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club.

Amir Khasru said, “The authority to draft and amend the constitution lies with parliament. Opinions or proposals can be given from outside, but any amendment must be made through parliament. Without proposal and passage in parliament, there is no opportunity to amend the constitution.”

He further said, “The current government has taken oath according to the constitution, meaning the existing constitution is in effect. Therefore, the solution must also be sought within this constitution. No one has the right to make changes outside it.”

Regarding a referendum, he said, “The current constitution has no provision for a referendum. Anyone wishing to hold one must first amend the constitution—which is only possible in parliament. Without a public mandate, doing so would be constitutionally illegal.”

On BNP’s proposed referendum, he said, “Although BNP proposed it out of political tolerance, it was not correct and instead increased complexity. Now the question is, why is there such a rush to talk about a referendum? What is the purpose of breaking the law, bypassing the constitution, and circumventing democracy? Those making new demands under the name of the Consensus Commission do not believe in democracy or public ownership.”

He said, “Democracy means regular elections. No process outside this is democracy. It is urgent to restore democratic and constitutional order through elections in the first half of February. Those attempting to build Bangladesh according to their own wishes while sitting in Dhaka are no different from Sheikh Hasina’s government.”

The BNP leader also said, “We submitted 31 reform proposals two years ago during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. Those speaking of reform today, we had already raised these issues and would implement them if elected by the people. The purpose of the Consensus Commission was to create political unity, not to impose the views of any group. But now new proposals are being introduced without consensus—this is deception of the people.”

The discussion was chaired by Gono Forum’s acting president Advocate Subrata Chowdhury. The chief guest was party emeritus president Dr. Kamal Hossain. Also present were former CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim and leaders and activists from various political parties.