'Bangabandhu makes constitution unique'

Sunday, August 16, 2009

 

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made the country's constitution a unique one in the world by giving a new definition of secularism, said Shahriar Kabir, a noted journalist, in Rajshahi yesterday.

"For him secularism did not mean abandonment of religion, but a separation of religion from state and politics," said Kabir, president of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, a forum for secular Bangladesh and trial of war criminals.

He said Bangabandhu was a religious man and he believed in people's freedom of religion.

Bangabandhu gave new definition of secularism to end Pakistani tradition of abusing religion for political gain, said Kabir.

He said in the name of protecting Islam, Pakistani rulers and Jamaat-e-Islami men killed people, raped women and committed genocides during their 23-year regime and the liberation war.

Kabir was addressing as chief guest at a discussion meeting organised on the occasion of the National Mourning Day at the Kazi Nazrul Islam auditorium of Rajshahi University (RU).

RU Vice Chancellor Prof M Abdus Sobhan chaired the discussion.

Kabir also addressed a public meeting organised by the district unit of Bangabandhu Parishad at Alupatty in the city in the afternoon.

He said the killers of Bangabandhu and their masters in later days tainted the constitution by turning it into a communal one.

He demanded reinstatement of the original constitution of 1972 and early beginning of the trial of war criminals.

He also demanded immediate execution of the verdict against the killers of Bangabandhu and his family members.

Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman, lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha and leaders of different Awami League units placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and the grave of national leader AHM Quamaruzzaman on this occasion.

Besides, Rajshahi City Corporation, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, district administration, different universities, colleges and schools, Sainik League, Bangabandhu Engineers' Parishad, Bangabandhu Krishibid Parishad, Rajshahi Union of Journalists, Rajshahi Press Club, RU unit of BCL, Progressive Teachers' Society, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, RU Officers Association and other organisations held discussions, milad mahfils and special prayers.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=101620