Staff Reporter :Terming the ongoing politics ‘sick’, eminent Jurist Dr Kamal has said people’s empowerment is very much needed to regain ‘effectual democracy’ and establish ‘rule of law’ in the country. He also laid emphasis on mass consensus over some fundamental issues, such as constitution with liberation war spirit, secular politics, democratic practice, independent judiciary, enlightened education policy and peoples’ parliament.Dr Kamal, also President of Gano Forum, made the observations while addressing a view exchange meeting with the newspaper editors and senior journalists at his Bailey Road residence in the city on Thursday.In this backdrop, he also gave an eleven-point manifesto to form ‘alternative political force’ to check the ‘two-party’s evil politics’ and ensure ‘democracy with people’s empowerment’. Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Nurul Kabir, Tossaraf Ali, Farid Hossain, Mizanur Rahman Khan, Bibhu Ranjan Sarkar, Mahbub Kamal, Badiul Alam and Khairul Alam Bakul, among others, were present in the meeting. Besides, several political leaders including, Sultan Mohammad Mansur, Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Advocate Subrata Roy also took part.”It is the responsibility of incumbent government to fulfill its promises given to the people before January’ 5 election. And so, there is no alternative except holding a fresh national election with mass people’s participation,” Dr Kamal said. Expressing deep frustration over present political situation, he said, “At present the main objects of national politics are terrorism, corruption, black money, looting-grabbing, partition and vengeance, which create severe obstacle to development and national progress.””So, mass consensus for ‘healthy politics’ is the only way to get freedom from such obnoxious situation. I think, the whole nation has already reached in a primary consensus in favour of ‘healthy politics’. Now we need to organize the public sentiment through some specific programmes,” he recommended.Dr Kamal, also regarded as architect of the constitution, said, “People’s empowerment is the main source of effectual democracy and rule of law. But these constitutional proclamations have become farce nowadays. However, we can proceed forward towards people’s empowerment by re-establishing the people’s voting rights.”Giving importance on mass consensus, he further said, “A national harmony is necessary to materialise the focal points of our independence – economic prosperity, democratic and constitutional administrative system, good governance or rule of law and upholding human dignity or human rights.”Pointing finger towards huge mismanagement in the education sector, the jurist said, “The educational institutions must be free from all terrorism to resume the educational atmosphere. The ill practices, such as, tender business, admission business and extortion must be stopped in the colleges, universities and other educational centers.””Maintaining neutrality or impartiality is a must in every step of our state functionary. The judiciary, the police, the public administration and the constitutional institutions, such as: election commission, public service commission and anti-corruption commission should be kept out of politics to ensure impartiality.” “The candidates’ competence, skill and talent to be considered in case of anyone’s appointment instead of his political identity,” he noted.Meanwhile, the editors and journalists those attended the view-exchange meeting made differ with Dr Kamal’s statement, especially on the way out and organizational formation, to materialise his latest political dream.They were also critical as saying that it would need a powerful organization and influential leader to chalk-out the plan-programmes how the people will gather under the same umbrella. Although Dr Kamal did not directly blamed anyone during the view-exchange meeting, it was clear that he mentioned the misrule of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League present government. Dr Kamal was a member of the Awami League until the early 1990s, when he formed his own political party, Gano Forum [People’s Forum] following disputes with Awami League leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.After the independence of Bangladesh, he served as the Minister of Law [1972-1973], Minister of Foreign Affairs [1973-1975] and Minister of Petroleum and Minerals [1974-1975]. One of his earliest tasks as Minister of Law was the drafting of the Constitution of Bangladesh which was completed in 1972. He accompanied Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in negotiations with Pakistani President General Yahya Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on the transfer of power to the National Assembly following the Pakistani general election, 1970.He was arrested during the Bangladesh Liberation War in April 1971 by the Pakistani government and kept in custody along with Sheikh Mujib in West Pakistan. He was released together with Mujib when both of them left Pakistan for London.
