Sangsad Bhaban, Nov 4 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday said it is imperative to present before the people again the 1972 Constitution in the larger interest of ensuring people’s economic emancipation.

Before going into question-answer session, the Prime Minister, taking permission of the Speaker, said after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the power-greedy force had brought changes in the 1972 national constitution “to serve their
own perverse purposes after grabbing the state power unconstitutionally”.

The Leader of the House made the pre-question-hour remarks when, at the beginning of the order of the day, the Speaker reminded the House that November 4 is the day when, in 1972, the country’s constitution was adopted by the first government of the independent Bangladesh
under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib.

“The evil force mutilated the 1972 constitution to legalize their ill-gotten power,” the Prime Minister told the House.

She observed that there are few sensitive matters in the present constitution and these issues will be scrutinized and considered by her government.

“But, if the vested quarter had not changed the constitution, Bangladesh people would not suffer from lack of food, shelter, education and health services,” she said.

The Leader of the House thanked the Speaker for reminding the lawmakers of the Constitution Day.

At one stage, Sheikh Hasina with permission of the chair requested those lawmakers who signed on the 1972 constitution during its adoption time to raise their hands.

She greeted the veteran lawmakers and prayed for salvation of those legislators who already have passed away.

As the Speaker mentioned the name of Suranjit Sengupta MP as one of the lawmakers involved in the constitution adoption process, the Prime Minister quipped Suranjit didn’t sign in the 1972 constitution.

Later, Sengupta stood on point of order and expressed his reaction over Sheikh Hasina’s remark that he did not sign in the 1972 constitution

“Yes it is correct that I did not sign in the 1972 constitution. I was waiting, but, to date, I did not get the opportunity to sign in he constitution,” said the Awami League lawmaker, known as a
reformist after the 1/11 political changeover.

Suranjit said he did not sign in the constitution as he had wanted full free and compulsory education till class eight for all instead of class five.

Now it seems to me that I am going to get the opportunity to sign in the 1972 constitution very soon, as Sheikh Hasina’s government has tarted the process already to introduce full free education in which y aspiration also has been reflected,” he said.

e also hoped that the four fundamentals of the 1972 constitutions would be restored in the country’s present constitution.

At this stage, the Speaker interposed and said: Suranjit Sengupta was the only opposition side during the adoption of the 1972 constitution.