Unscheduled debate in JS over opposition notice for session on constitutional reform

The parliament witnessed an unscheduled debate between the ruling party and the opposition in parliament on Sunday, after the opposition party, Jamaat-e-Islami, had submitted a notice in parliament seeking discussion on convening a session of the Constitution Reform Council to implement the constitutional reform proposals contained in the July National Charter.

The timing of the discussion on this notice triggered exchanges of words between the treasury and the opposition.

During the afternoon sitting, immediately after the question-answer session, Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman raised the notice on a point of order and demanded that it be discussed. However, members of the ruling party argued that, according to the day’s agenda, discussions on starred questions and notices under Rule 71—relating to matters of urgent public importance—must be completed first, after which other notices could be taken up.

Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, who was presiding over the session, later stated that a decision on the opposition’s notice would be made after completing discussions on the scheduled notices concerning urgent public importance.

To implement 48 constitutional reform proposals under the July National Charter, the interim government had issued the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order and held a referendum. Following a “yes” vote in the referendum, the current parliament is mandated to function not only in its regular capacity but also as a Constitution Reform Council.

According to the implementation order, elected representatives are required to take two oaths on the same day—one as members of parliament and another as members of the Constitution Reform Council. The swearing-in ceremony for newly elected MPs took place on 17 February, and the parliament secretariat had arranged for both oaths on that day. Members of opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), took both oaths. However, those elected from the BNP did not take the oath as members of the Constitution Reform Council, resulting in the council not being formed within the stipulated timeframe.

Under the implementation order, the deadline for convening the first session of the council was 15 March. On that day, Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman had raised the issue in parliament, after which Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed advised the opposition to submit a formal notice in accordance with the rules.

Following the Eid recess, parliament resumed its session on Sunday, and the opposition submitted the notice seeking discussion on the formation of the Constitution Reform Council.

Raising the notice in the House, Shafiqul Rahman said that on 15 March he had brought up the matter as one of urgent public importance through a point of order, and the Speaker had advised submitting a formal notice. “We have done so. I am now placing this notice before the House and requesting that it be accepted for discussion, particularly regarding the oath of the Constitution Reform Council under the July National Charter implementation order,” he said.

Shortly after, Chief Whip Nurul Islam took the floor, stating that according to the day’s agenda, other matters could only be discussed after completing the question-answer session and Rule 71 proceedings.

In response, the opposition leader said that the discussion should take place immediately after the question-answer session, and that he had stood up accordingly.

Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed then sought to speak, prompting objections from opposition members. However, the Speaker allowed him to proceed. The minister said that the opposition leader had raised a proposal and that the government supported allowing discussion in accordance with the rules. He added that, by convention, adjournment motions are discussed after the question-answer session and Rule 71 proceedings, and that the government would also respond through a point of order. He urged the Speaker to proceed in line with the rules.

At this stage, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said that the conduct of the House suggested that many were forgetting how this parliament had been formed. “Alongside the parliamentary election, there was also a referendum. But observing the proceedings now, it seems as if that never happened. This is the most important public issue and should be discussed and resolved in this House before moving on to regular business,” he said, urging that the notice be taken up first.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam responded that the Speaker could allow it if he wished, but emphasised that the question-answer session and Rule 71 notices are important matters and rights of members. Two hours have been allocated for these proceedings, after which other issues can be discussed. “We have no objection from our side,” he added.

Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal then said he had received the opposition’s notice and would address it. He stated that, in keeping with parliamentary practice, a decision on the notice would be made after completing discussions on Rule 71 matters.

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