Constitution amendment: Indigenous communities left unrecognized and shall be known as Bangalee

Constitution amendment: Indigenous communities left unrecognized and shall be known as Bangalee

Finally, the 15th constitution amendment bill of Bangladesh has been passed into law today(Thursday) by 291-1 vote and the indigenous communities of Bangladesh, never recognised constitutionally as "indigenous", have been left out again.

According to clause 2(ka) Islam as state religion and religion-based politics have been retained and under clause 6(2) - The people of Bangladesh shall be known as Bangalee as a nation.

Salient features of 15th amendment of Constitution

UNB, Dhaka

 

Salient features of the 15th amendment of the Constitution passed by parliament Thursday.

1. Caretaker system abolished

2. Elections to be held under incumbent cabinet

3. Islam as State religion and ‘Bismillah-Ar-Rahman-Ar-Rahim’ retained

4. Revival of Article 12 to restore Secularism and freedom of religion

5. The people of Bangladesh shall be known as Bangalees as a nation and citizens of Bangladesh shall be known as Bangladeshis

6. Inserted articles 7A and 7B in the Constitution after Article 7 in a bid to end takeover of power through extra-constitutional means

7. Basic provisions of the constitution are not amendable

8. In the case of a dissolution Parliament by any reason, election should be held within 90 days of such dissolution

9. Increasing the number of women reserve seats to 50 from existing 45.

10. The Supreme Command of the defense services shall vest in the President and the exercise thereof shall be regulated by law.

11. The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President, and the other judges shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice.

12. The portrait of the Father of the nation Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shall be preserved and display at the offices of the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, and the Chief Justice and in head and branch offices of all government and semi-government offices, autonomous bodies, statutory public authorities, government and non-government educational institutions, embassies and missions of Bangladesh abroad.

13. Incorporation of historic speech of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 7, 1971, declaration of independence by Bangabandhu after midnight of March 25, 1971 and the proclamation of Independence declared at Mujibnagar on April 10, 1971.