July Charter will ensure religious rights of citizens: Ali Riaz

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz today said the July National Charter will ensure the religious rights of every citizen and establish a society based on equality, human dignity and social justice.

"The July National Charter will establish a society based on equality, human dignity and social justice, where the state will not discriminate between individuals on the basis of religious belief. The Charter will guarantee equal rights for all as citizens," he said.

Ali Riaz made these remarks while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with members of the Hindu community on referendum campaigning and voter motivation at the auditorium of the National Museum in the capital.

The event was organised by the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust.

He said, "In our dream of creating a democratic and humane homeland, we have had to pass through a bloodstained path. After losing so much, a golden opportunity has come, and we do not want to lose it again."

Ali Riaz said the existing system must be changed through extensive reforms to rescue the state battered by the oppression of fascism.

He urged voters to cast a 'Yes' vote in the referendum to achieve those reforms.

"According to the Constitution, all powers of the Republic belong to the people. But the people were kept deprived of it," he said.

"Participation in the referendum is essential, driven by conscience, so that the future Bangladesh does not resemble the past. Remember, through victory in the referendum, it will be possible to build the state system you desire," he said.

Regarding the appointment and responsibilities of the President, the Chief Adviser's special assistant said that in the past everything happened according to the will of the Prime Minister.

Under the Constitution, the President cannot take any decision independently except for appointing the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, he added.

"Yet it is said that as a constitutional authority, the President appoints bodies such as the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission Secretariat and judges in the judiciary. In reality, however, these appointments take place according to the wishes of the then head of the government," he said.

Referring to Article 70 of the Constitution, Ali Riaz said it is like putting Scotch tape over the mouths of MPs of their own parties.

"This provision is a major obstacle to the development of a democratic system. To overcome this, the reform proposal suggests that MPs will remain loyal to their own parties in the case of finance bills and votes of confidence, while on other issues they will be able to express independent opinions," he said.

As a special guest, another Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Monir Haidar, said, "The fundamental objective of our Proclamation of Independence was to ensure that issues such as social justice and human values are implemented with dignity."

He said they want a society where a child's identity will be determined by merit, acquired knowledge and effort.

He said false propaganda is being spread that if people vote 'Yes' in the referendum, "Bismillah" will be removed from the Constitution and full faith and trust in Allah will not remain. Calling this propaganda false, he urged everyone not to be misled by it.

Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Vice-Chairman Tapan Chandra Majumder chaired the event, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md Kamal Uddin and Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Secretary Devendra Nath Uran also spoke.