Porwar for constitutional reforms to stop fascism

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar on Saturday called for fundamental constitutional reforms, saying only a structural overhaul of the Constitution could prevent the return of fascism and stop the concentration of state power in the hands of a single government.

Speaking as the chief guest at a protest rally organised by Dhaka North City Jamaat-e-Islami in front of the Mohakhali Cholera Hospital, Porwar said political parties had previously pledged to implement the July Charter but alleged that some had since backed away from those commitments.

The rally demanded implementation of the public mandate through a referendum and speedy trials for those accused of involvement in killings during the July uprising.

Porwar argued that amending existing laws alone would not be sufficient to bring meaningful political change. He said reforms to the Constitution's fundamental structure were essential to prevent any future government from centralising state power.

He also accused the BNP of distancing itself from the objectives of the July movement despite earlier supporting the proposed reform agenda and alleged that some individuals were misleading the government and pushing the party away from the spirit of the uprising.

The Jamaat leader further alleged that the government had failed to pursue meaningful reforms and was making partisan appointments within the administration.

Referring to a recent statement by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Porwar thanked him for what he described as speaking "the truth" about the pace of political change.

Presiding over the rally, Dhaka North Jamaat Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin claimed the previous ban on Jamaat-e-Islami had been politically motivated. He urged party activists to remain prepared to safeguard future elections and called for an end to attacks on participants in the July movement.

Following the rally, party leaders and activists brought out a procession from Mohakhali to the Tejgaon Tibet intersection.