Will appeal for complete repeal of Fifteenth Amendment: Badiul Alam Majumdar

Badiul Alam Majumdar, member of the National Unity Commission and secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJON), announced plans to appeal for the full repeal of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment, which introduced changes in 54 areas, is the subject of a writ petition filed by Majumdar. He made the announcement during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday.

On July 8, the High Court issued its full verdict, declaring the caretaker government system abolished by invalidating key sections of the Fifteenth Amendment, including Articles 7(k), 7(ka), 20, 21, and 44(2). However, the court upheld the Constitution’s four fundamental principles—nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism—maintaining Islam as the state religion while ensuring equal status for other religions. The verdict also preserved the recognition of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation and deferred decisions on these provisions to the next parliament.

“We will file an appeal in the Appellate Division seeking the complete repeal of the Fifteenth Amendment,” Majumdar said. He added, “The caretaker government system was illegally abolished by the Awami League government in 2011. Consequently, all national elections held after the repeal are invalid.”

Majumdar also noted that the Appellate Division will soon hear a review petition challenging the verdict that repealed the Thirteenth Amendment, which had introduced the caretaker government system. “Once the review and appeal regarding the Fifteenth Amendment are settled, the full restoration of the caretaker government system will be clear,” he said.