Dhaka //

Raising the question of how can a state be inclusive if it is not secular, Professor Anu Muhammad said, secularism means that the state will remain neutral in these matters – state, race, religion, gender. The state will provide equal rights and opportunities to everyone. If a state does not take this position, then that state is already segregating followers of other religions.

Anu Muhammad said this while referring to the proposal of the Constitutional Reform Commission to remove the word ‘secularism’ from the basic principles of the constitution. Yesterday, Monday, he delivered the closing speech at a seminar titled ‘The Path from Autocracy to Democracy: In Search of a Discrimination-Free Bangladesh’ at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of Dhaka University. The day-long seminar was organized by the political, economic and social analytical journal ‘Sarvajanakatha’. Professor Anu Muhammad is the editor of Sarvajanakatha.

Anu Muhammad said that a proposal has been made to reform the constitution, where the word secularism has been removed. This word was in the 1972 constitution. He said, ‘It does not mean that we have got a secular society. Although the constitution has secularism, our various governments have gone far away from secularism….Now we hear the word “inclusive” from the current government and powerful groups related to the government.’ He also said, ‘I also hear this question from someone that we will be secular or inclusive? I do not understand this question. Because, if it is not secular, how can a state be inclusive?’

Anu Muhammad said, secularism means that the state will be neutral in terms of state, race, religion, gender. It will give equal rights and opportunities to everyone. If a state does not take this position, then it is already segregating followers of other religions. How can it be inclusive?

In this context, Anu Muhammad further said, secularism is being left out, but where will it go if it is left out. If the state runs according to the religion of the majority, then BJP is right in India. However, secularism is a real place of security for Muslims in India. For this reason, starting from the Imam of Shahi Mosque to all the Muslim religious leaders in India, everyone has one demand – that India should remain secular and secular politics should be established. Therefore, those who deny secularism here are putting India’s Muslims in insecurity.

Referring to the fact that the murals were considered as manifestos during the mass uprising, this former professor said, “The aspirations expressed there are far behind the current interim government and their close organizations.”

Obstacles to expression and discrimination

After the July mass uprising, Anu Muhammad alleged that expression of opinion is being hindered. He said, after the mass uprising, it is seen that a new chapter of obstructing expression of opinion, creating violence or pressure, and threats of attacks has begun. In many cases, it is being done in the name of religion. He said, all religions, women – everyone participated in the uprising. At that time, the democratic consciousness was very strong. But after the movement ended, intolerant or oppressive parties are emerging.

Commenting that 22 families in Bangladesh are much wealthier than 22 families in Pakistan, Anu Muhammad said that the process of plundering and plundering the property of some of them has not yet been interrupted. There is no effective initiative to bring that property under the ownership of the state. But the government says that they lack money and that is why they have imposed the burden of VAT on the people. The increase in inequality in the country has come about through an overall policy framework. She said, “We see Ershad, Khaleda Zia, Hasina. But there are some invisible forces that we do not see so much.”

Industry, agriculture, informal sector, energy-power, education, medicine – what kind of changes have taken place in these areas, Anu Muhammad mentioned that if we want to make Bangladesh free of discrimination, we will have to investigate and make an overall plan. She said that if we want to make this change, an invisible government will be seen. An invisible government in Bangladesh formulates these policies, which never come up for discussion.

Political parties also need reform

Professor Anu Muhammad highlighted the need for reform or change in political parties as well. He commented that changes in three specific areas of the parties are important.

According to Anu Muhammad, those who will lead the political party should set a retirement age. It should be ensured that all levels of the party committees are elected. Apart from this, a national political party can be called a party that represents all sections or diversity of society (men and women, other genders, other religions, different beliefs).

Criticism of the World Bank-IMF

Professor Anu Muhammad strongly criticized the World Bank and the IMF. He said that the main architects of the policy formulation due to which Sheikh Hasina’s model of looting and wealth laundering stood, are the World Bank, IMF and ADB groups. They should also be held accountable.

Stating that the interim government is also relying on the World Bank and IMF, Anu Muhammad further said that this state of the economy is due to a combined alliance of some consultants, economists, experts, bureaucrats and some business groups in Bangladesh. As a result, talking about a discrimination-free Bangladesh and relying on them will not make any difference.

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