Jamaat uncertain about joining constitution amendment committee

PNN News Desk, Dhaka
Jamaat-e-Islami has not yet taken a formal decision on whether it will join the government’s proposed special committee for constitutional amendments. However, sources suggest that there is strong opinion within the party against joining the committee.

Party leaders fear that participation in the committee may provide political legitimacy to the government’s plan to proceed with its own agenda. Therefore, Jamaat is maintaining a cautious stance and observing the overall political situation.

On April 29, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman proposed in parliament the formation of a special committee for constitutional amendments. He said a 17-member committee consisting of representatives from ruling and opposition parties is planned, and five names have been requested from the opposition.

However, opposition parties have consistently been demanding “reform” of the constitution rather than “amendment.” They argue that instead of the current initiative, a constitutional reform council should have been formed first. Because that did not happen, distrust has emerged in the opposition camp.

Jamaat leaders believe that due to the ruling party’s two-thirds majority in parliament, decisions may be made unilaterally, and similar conditions may arise in the amendment committee, meaning opposition views may not be properly reflected.

Deputy opposition leader and Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said that no final decision has been made yet and the party will announce its position after internal discussion.

Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad believes there is no scope for joining the proposed committee, stating that the opposition is in favor of reform, not amendment, and therefore there is a fundamental difference in position.

However, another Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim said further discussion is needed, as there is a political and ideological difference between “reform” and “amendment.”

Meanwhile, the issue was also discussed in a recent meeting of an 11-party alliance, where most leaders expressed doubts about the government’s initiative. They said that due to the lack of visible progress on reforms, the opposition is not ready to take any decision at this stage.

Jamaat leaders said they will ultimately decide based on political reality and the government’s next steps—whether to join the committee or maintain their position from outside.