Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday clarified that the Constitution of Bangladesh does not recognise any body called a “Reform Council”.
He said the proposed council could only be established after a constitutional amendment.
“The honourable President has convened a session of the Jatiya Sangsad, not a session of any ‘Reform Council’,” he told reporters before joining the adjourned sitting of the parliament.
Referring to the proposal in the July National Charter, Salahuddin said if a constitutional reform council is to be implemented under that framework, the Constitution must first be amended.
He also highlighted that the legality of the proposed council has already been challenged in court.
“The Constitutional validity of the council mentioned under the July National Charter has been questioned, and the court has issued a rule in this regard. The matter is now under judicial consideration,” the minister said.
Salahuddin explained that if the council is to be formed based on the outcome of a referendum, the Constitution must first include the necessary provisions.
He added, “Only after the Constitution is amended and the provision incorporated can steps be taken to form the council and arrange the oath-taking, if necessary.”
The home minister said the process requires detailed discussion and legislative approval. “No step can be taken to establish the council without a formal constitutional amendment and proper incorporation in law,” he emphasised.
On a related issue, Salahuddin addressed questions regarding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad. He said both still retain primary membership in their respective political parties.
“They have not resigned from their parties. Therefore, Article 70 of the Constitution does not apply here. The provision becomes applicable only when a member resigns from their party,” he told the parliament.
The minister’s remarks come amid growing public and political debate over the formation and legal standing of a proposed Reform Council under the July National Charter.
Salahuddin’s statement also underscores that the parliament session convened by the president remains the sole constitutional forum for legislative and reform activities.
Any move to form a council outside this framework would require formal amendment procedures and judicial scrutiny.
