Staff Correspondent

The Constitution Reform Commission has recommended replacing the preamble of the Constitution. The Commission constituted in September, led by Prof Ali Riaz submitted its report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on January 15.

A summary of the recommendations has also been published on the commission’s website.

The Commission recommends the following Preamble for the Constitution:

“We, the people of Bangladesh, in continuation of our long and historic struggle for the liberation of the people of this land, having gained independence through a people’s war and having fought unitedly against dictatorship and fascism for establishing democracy;

By recalling with deepest respect the sacrifice of all martyrs, pledging the establishment in our State and society the high ideals of equality, human dignity and social justice that inspired our people in the war of independence in 1971 and the high ideals of democracy and nondiscrimination that united us against the fascist regime in 2024; In exercise of the sovereign rights of the people, adopting and enacting this Constitution for the people of Bangladesh by declaring the ideals of equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism and democracy as the fundamental principles of this Constitution, which embodies the highest aspirations of the people, shall ensure inclusive and collective national development and shall protect the rights of the present and the future generations;

Solemnly declare that this Constitution shall unite all citizens in the spirit of mutual rights, responsibilities and accountability, guarantee the representation of the people in the governance of the Republic at all times, foster international peace and cooperation and uphold the sovereignty of Bangladesh;

With people’s consent, do hereby give to ourselves this Constitution as the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.”The fascist Awami League (AL) government had dislodged in face of the student-people mass uprising on August 5 last after over 15 years of misrule. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country after tendering her resignation. The Interim government had formed on August 8.

As part of the state reform, the interim government chief Prof Muhammad Yunus in his televised speech for the nation on September 11, announced to form several commissions including Constitution Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission, Judiciary Reform Commission, Public Administration Reform Commission, Police Reform Commission and Anti-Corruption Reform Commission.