Salahuddin Calls for Replacing Secularism in Constitution with ‘Absolute Faith in Almighty Allah’

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday that a referendum will be required to approve certain fundamental changes to the Constitution, even after they receive the necessary parliamentary majority.

Speaking at a briefing at the Parliament complex in the capital, Salahuddin, who also chairs the parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments, said proposed changes to the Preamble, four key constitutional articles and provisions related to the caretaker government system would require approval through a referendum.

He made the remarks after the committee held its third round of discussions with editors of media outlets and leaders of journalist associations on the proposed constitutional reforms.

According to Salahuddin, “Absolute Trust and Faith in Almighty Allah” will be restored to the Preamble and Article 8, replacing the existing state policy of secularism.

He said the issue was not part of the political consensus discussions on the July Charter during the interim government’s tenure. However, the provision would be included in the Constitution to fulfil the BNP’s election pledge to the people, he added.

Salahuddin said that if the proposed bicameral legislature is established, constitutional amendments would require a two-thirds majority in the lower house and a 50% majority in the upper house.

Certain fundamental amendments, however, would still require approval from voters through a referendum after securing the required parliamentary majority, he said. Changes to the Preamble and Article 8, for instance, would need to be endorsed by the people.

He added that proposed amendments to Articles 48, 56 and 142—covering the president’s role, the selection and functions of the prime minister and Cabinet, and the constitutional amendment process—would also require approval through a referendum.

The committee has further proposed that any changes to provisions concerning the caretaker government system be subjected to the same referendum process, Salahuddin said.

He said the committee is giving priority to the July Charter as it works on the constitutional amendment process.

Salahuddin also said senior journalists had proposed including opposition lawmakers in the committee. The panel would welcome opposition members whenever they wished to join, he said, stressing that its current members wanted to complete the amendment process through consensus and avoid political divisions.

The proposed constitutional changes will be drafted into a bill and placed before lawmakers during the first parliamentary session next year, Salahuddin said.

He added that the committee has accelerated its work with the aim of finalising its report by December.