DHAKA, – Tomorrow is the Bangladesh Constitution Day as the
Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was adopted by the
Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh on November 4, 1972 and came into effect
on December 16 in the same year.
This year’s theme of the day is ‘Bangabandhur Vabona, Songvidhaner Bornona’.
On the eve of the day, in separate messages, President Mohammed Shahabuddin
and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today wished overall success of all
programmes marking the day.
After the country achieved independence following a nine month-long bloody
war, a 34-member Constitution Drafting Committee was formed with Dr Kamal
Hossain as its chairman on April 11 in 1972.
The draft constitution was placed as the Constitution Bill in the second
session of the Assembly on October 12, 1972. Its first reading began on
October 19 and continued till October 30.
The second reading took place from October 31 to November 3 in the same year.
The third reading of the Constitution Bill took place in the Assembly on
November 4, approving 65 amendments to the Constitution Bill and finally the
Assembly adopted and enacted the Constitution on the same day with the four
fundamental principles — nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism.
Taking part in the discussion on Constitution Bill, Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had said, “This Constitution has been
written with the blood of the martyrs, this Constitution will remain alive as
the symbol of the people’s hopes and desires”.
Though the original copy of the Constitution was written in English, it was
simultaneously translated into Bangla. If any ambiguity is found in the
meaning of Bangla and English versions, the Bangla version will be accepted
in this regard.
A committee led by Dr Anisuzzaman was tasked with reviewing the Bangla
version of the Constitution. Syed Ali Ahsan and Mazharul Islam were members
of the committee as the language experts.
A five-member committee led by Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was formed for
decorating the Constitution.
Artiste Hashem Khan, Janabul Islam, Sanjit Ray Chowdhury and Abul Barak Alvi
were members of the committee.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has taken up various
programs on the occasion of the Bangladesh Constitution Day-2023.
Highlighting the significance of the day, the Legislative and Parliamentary
Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs
will organize a seminar at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden at 11 am in the
capital tomorrow.
Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury is expected to attend
it as the chief guest with Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Anisul Huq in the chair.
Law Commission Member Justice ATM Fazle Kabir and Secretary of the Law and
Justice Division Md Golam Sarwar will be present as discussants there.
Secretary of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Md Moinul Kabir
will give welcome speech on the occasion while Professor and Dean of Law of
the Jagannath University S M Masum Billah will present the main article or
key note paper.
Diplomats of different countries, guests from various government ministries,
offices and organizations, representatives of civil society and dignitaries
will be present in the event.
Besides, a discussion will be held at Bangladesh Supreme Court at 3:30 pm
tomorrow where Chief Justice of the Maldives UZ Ahmed Muthasim Adnan will be
present as the chief guest.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq is expected to
join it as the special guest there.
Special supplements and articles will be published in national dailies
tomorrow while initiatives have been taken to display posters and banners and
distribute leaflets at various places in the capital.
District administrations across the country have taken up various programmes
to observe the day.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha