Constitutional Reform Commission proposes changes to state principles, country's name

The commission recommends replacing the words Prajatantra and Ganaprajatantri Bangladesh with Nagariktantra and Janaganatantri Bangladesh

The commission established to reform Bangladesh’s constitution has recommended substantial changes to the nation’s constitution, including revising state principles, renaming the country’s constitutional title, and restructuring its parliamentary framework.

On Wednesday, Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, submitted the report to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

He said, “We are recommending five state principles as a reflection of the great ideals of the 1971 Liberation War and the aspirations of the people in the 2024 popular uprising."

“These proposed principles include equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism, and democracy.”

Currently, the Bangladesh Constitution enshrines nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism as its foundational state principles.

In alignment with those principles, the constitution sets a goal of building an "exploitation-free socialist society through democratic means” - where the rule of law, fundamental human rights, political, economic, and social equality, freedom, and justice are guaranteed for all citizens.

The commission has also proposed a significant change to the constitutional name of the nation, suggesting it be revised from the "People's Republic of Bangladesh" to the "People's Democracy of Bangladesh."

Riaz stated, "While Bangladesh is referred to as the 'People's Republic of Bangladesh', we disagree with the term 'Republic'. We believe that Bangladesh should be known as the 'People's Democracy of Bangladesh'."

Highlighting the recommendation to expand the scope of fundamental rights, he said: "Not only that, we have also talked about a unified charter to ensure its constitutional protection and enforceability."

He said that the preparation of the Constitutional Reform Commission's recommendations was an extensive and inclusive process, drawing on the input of approximately 0.1 million people.

Riaz noted that, alongside the commission members, 32 researchers contributed to the report, ensuring a comprehensive and representative approach.

"There are opinions of about 0.1 million people behind this report; contributions from political parties, contributions from civil society, and opinions from people from different sections of society," he added.

He further explained that the primary aim of the commission was to "establish a clear and effective democracy, ensure fundamental human rights, and accountability."

“Guided by this goal, the report identifies the specific articles and issues of the constitution that require reform to meet the evolving needs of the nation.”

Expressing hope for political unity around the proposed reforms, Riaz emphasised the significance of the commission's recommendations in the nation's journey toward progress.

"Today, in continuation of the dream that was realised through a massive mass uprising, we are putting forward these proposals and recommendations on behalf of the commission," he stated.

"We hope that the political parties of Bangladesh will be able to reach a kind of consensus.”

The commission recommends, "In all applicable areas of the constitution, the words Prajatantra and Ganaprajatantri Bangladesh will be replaced with Nagariktantra and Janaganatantri Bangladesh. However, the English version will retain the words 'Republic' and 'Peoples Republic of Bangladesh'."

The commission has also called for the state language to be defined as “Bengali,” while recognising all other languages spoken as mother tongues by the country’s citizens as common languages under constitutional protection.

The Ali Riaz commission recommends the abolition of the provision that defines the citizens of Bangladesh as the Bengali nation. The recommendation suggests amending the current Article 6(2) as follows: "The citizens of Bangladesh shall be known as 'Bangladeshis'."