Constitutional reform needed to prevent future dictatorships: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today (1 September) that constitutional reform is necessary to prevent future dictatorships in Bangladesh, as the government works to establish safeguards against military rule, authoritarianism, fascism and the use of muscle power.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by Sylhet district BNP at Sylhet Shilpakala Academy this evening to mark the party’s 48th founding anniversary.

“We are working on a constitutional amendment to introduce a system through which no military dictatorship, authoritarian force, fascism or muscle power can emerge in the future,” Salahuddin said.

The home minister described BNP’s political history as one of movements, development, achievements and successive reform initiatives.

He also highlighted former president Ziaur Rahman’s role in the country’s political history and said BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s plans include measures to reduce poverty.

Speaking at the event, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Ziaur Rahman had also served as commerce minister.

The government would work to address the country’s challenges and take Bangladesh to a higher level over the next five years under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, he said.

The discussion was chaired by Sylhet district BNP President Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury and moderated by its General Secretary Emran Ahmed.

Senior leaders of the district and metropolitan BNP also addressed the event.