Poet and political thinker Farhad Mazhar has raised a serious constitutional question over the interim government's authority to conduct a referendum while simultaneously claiming to uphold the very constitution it seeks to amend.
Speaking at a discussion titled "Challenge of Building a New Bangladesh" held at the National Press Club on Monday, Farhad Mazhar argued that the legitimacy of such a move could only come from a duly formed Constituent Assembly with the consent of the people. The event was organized by the Center for Democracy and Peace Studies.
Taking the floor as chief guest, Farhad Mazhar said, "Who will hold a referendum Does this government have the authority to hold a referendum He (the chief advisor) says that he will protect this constitution. What kind of referendum" He further stated, "You can keep the constitution and also take a role against the constitution, both cannot happen."
Mazhar, who previously called for the abrogation of the constitution following the July Uprising, reiterated that a "new Bangladesh cannot be built on the foundation of the old constitutional framework." He claimed that what occurred on August 8 last year was a "constitutional counter-revolution," asserting that those currently in power "lost their position as an interim government by taking oath under the constitution created by the Sheikh Hasina government." According to him, "Only the formation of a Constituent Assembly and its consent can make it legal to hold a referendum."
Challenging the legitimacy of the present administration, Farhad Mazhar said, "This government is not an interim government.
This government is an advisory government. The only job of this advisory government is to give proper advice... There is nothing much to be gained from them. If it has something to give, it should give it as soon as possible."
Mazhar also accused several political factions of betrayal following the August 5 coup, alleging, "Some of the eight parties committed extreme betrayal after the victory of the August 5 coup. Although the soldiers played a decisive role in the July coup, their contribution has been denied since August 5."
