BNP’s Hafiz Uddin: The 1972 Constitution is the Fruit of the Liberation War, Not of the Awami League

Dhaka – Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin, member of the BNP Standing Committee, stated that currently in politics there is a group of young people who did not witness the Liberation War, yet they claim that the existing 1972 Constitution “should be discarded.” He emphasized that this is not the constitution of any single party, but rather the product of the Liberation War.

He made these remarks today, Thursday (28 August), at a discussion titled “Freedom Fighters’ Unyielding Commitment to Protect Bangladesh’s Independence and Sovereignty” held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on the occasion of the 33rd founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party.

Hafiz Uddin said, “Shortly before the military crackdown on 25 March, Tajuddin Sahib approached Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to request a declaration of independence. However, he was unwilling to make the declaration because he believed in a united Pakistan and feared being labeled a separatist.”

He further alleged that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had made every effort to become Pakistan’s Prime Minister. Referring to the 1972 Constitution as the fruit of the Liberation War, Hafiz Uddin said, “We who fought risked our lives. Ordinary people, students, and youth participated in the war, then returned to school and college. We had no greed for political power. The constitution represents the achievement of our Liberation War.”

Hafiz Uddin also stressed that the July Charter adopted by political parties’ consensus can never override the constitution. He said, “No unelected individual can amend the constitution. Only elected representatives will decide what Bangladesh’s constitution will be.”

On the issue of proportional representation (PR), he said, “No one except three parties wants PR. Those who did not participate in the Liberation War must first consider the people’s wishes before thinking about Bangladesh’s future.”

The discussion was chaired by BNP’s Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party president Ishtiaq Aziz Alfaq. Other speakers included BNP Chairperson’s advisors Zainul Abedin Faruk, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and Md. Habibur Rahman, with the session moderated by Shahid Babul, vice president of the Freedom Fighters’ Party.