The opposition party has unconstitutionally taken the oath of the Reform Council: Home Minister

The Minister for Home Affairs and standing committee member of the BNP, Salahuddin Ahmed, remarked that the opposition's "Reform Council" took its oath unconstitutionally. He emphasized that a state is governed by law, not by emotion.

On Sunday (March 15), Salahuddin Ahmed made these comments in Parliament in response to statements regarding the "July Charter" made by the Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.

Stating that the government is committed to implementing the July Charter, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "We will uphold the July Charter letter by letter. However, that must be done through laws, regulations, and the Constitution."

He further noted that the President summoned a session of the National Parliament according to the Constitution, and there is no such entity as a "Reform Council" within it. To implement the Constitution Reform Council as per the July National Charter, an amendment to the Constitution must be brought first.

The Home Minister said, "The President has summoned a session of the National Parliament, not a session of any 'Reform Council.' We are currently participating in a session of the National Parliament constitutionally."

He added that the constitutional validity of the council mentioned under the July National Charter has already been challenged in court, and a rule has been issued regarding it. The matter is currently under the consideration of the judiciary.

Salahuddin Ahmed stated that according to the current Constitution, no such council exists. If such a council is to be formed based on the results of a referendum, the Constitution must be amended first. Only after a discussion in Parliament and a subsequent constitutional amendment can it be incorporated into the Constitution. After that, the issues of forming a council and taking an oath may arise if necessary.