TDS Desk

 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the undisputed leader of the nation and there is no scope to deny this, but attempts were made by a party to politicize him, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman has said.

Commenting at the hearing at a High Court bench on Wednesday, he also said the 15th amendment that scrapped the provision of caretaker government system, was the direct blow to the constitution.

The High Court bench comprised Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury.

During the hearing, the attorney general also said that Article 142 of the Constitution previously included provisions for a referendum.

The chief law officer of the state made the comments while taking part in the hearing on a rule issued by the High Court, challenging legality of the 15th amendment.

“A writ was filed by five prominent citizens of the country including Badiul Alam Majumder in public interest, challenging the validity of the 15th amendment. The High Court after holding hearing on the writ, issued the rule. Many have filed applications after that as intervener, some in support of that plea, and some were against. As a whole, we do not want that rule to be scrapped,” he said while talking to newsmen at his chamber.

The attorney general said democracy in Bangladesh has been destroyed, fascism perpetuated and the supremacy of the constitution was violated by scrapping the provision of the caretaker government system through the 15th amendment.

“The rule of law and the independence of the judiciary have been undermined by that. We presented our explanations in the court as per the articles today. The 15th amendment was tantamount to fraud over the constitution. Through that amendment, people’s rights have been taken away,” he added.

The High Court on August 19 issued the rule asking why the 15th amendment of the constitution shall not be declared illegal.

On June 30, 2011, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh was made during the then Awami League-led government.

In this Amendment, the caretaker government system was abolished and the number of seats reserved for women in the National Parliament was increased from 45 to 50.