DHAKA: Main opposition BNP`s Standing Committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed MP welcomed the Supreme Court verdict that finally proscribed the 5th Amendment to the Constitution and prescribed restoration of the fundamental state principles by retaining some provisions of the impugned amendment.

“The verdict will not hinder the constitutional and democratic advancement of the country,” he said while talking to journalists at the Supreme Court.

He made a point that the last caretaker government also assumed power “illegally” and stayed for two years, which will now be challenged following the court verdict that disapproved of extra-constitutional takeover.

The government of the founder of BNP, general Ziaur Rahman, had brought the Fifth Amendment giving legal cover to the military regimes and their actins since the August 15, 1975 changeover and making some major changes to the country’s post-liberation 1972 Constitution.

He introduced Bangladeshi nationalism instead of Bengali nationalism and omitted secularism. Socialism, the third one of the four fundamental principles of state policy, was also changed into economic and social justice.            

The SC verdict recommended retaining “Bangladeshi Nationalism”.  

Moudud said he accepted the verdict as a lawyer and hoped that he would see its execution.

The former law minister also pointed out that the Election Commission is duty-bound to arrange polls within 90 days, which didn’t happen during the last interim period. “Since the last one did not arrange the election within 90 days, case could be lodged against the commission," he said.

As a journalist asked what should be the fate of those who supported the regimes of Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad, an apparently embarrassed Moudud thanked the journalist and quit.   

The Supreme Court Tuesday unveiled its historic judgment scrapping the Constitution 5th Amendment and restoring all the four fundamental state principles stipulated in the country’s original 1972 Constitution with modifications.

‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ introduced through the 5th amendment will remain in the preamble to the Constitution as an introductory remark, not as part of the Constitution.

Also will remain intact the Article 6 of the amended constitution introducing the nation as “Bangladeshi” instead of “Bengali”. Article 6 (2) reads: "The citizens of Bangladesh shall be known as Bangladeshis."

BDST: 1618 HRS, JULY 29, 2010.