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Religion in Politics

Restriction eased

Staff Correspondent
Parliament yesterday eased constitutional restrictions on the use of religion in politics to make way for Islamist parties to continue functioning.
After cancellation of the 5th amendment last year, the stringent restrictions imposed by the 1972 constitution on the use of religion for political purpose were restored.
Adopting the 15th
amendment to the charter, the government did not enforce the ban considering the prevailing political situation.
The provision of article 38 of the 1972 constitution was made immediately after the country's independence.
"No person shall have the right to form, or be a member or otherwise take part in the activities of any communal or other association or union which in the name or on the basis of any religion has for its object or pursues, a political purpose,” said the provision.
But the latest amendment eased the limitations, allowing formation and operation of a political party in the name or on the basis of any religion.
The changes, however, discourage not to form any party for hampering the religious, social and communal harmony among the citizens.
During passage of the bill, Workers Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal lawmakers strongly opposed easing the restrictions. They proposed retaining the restrictions imposed by the 1972 constitution.
The article 12 dealing with secularism and freedom of religion was omitted during the martial law regime after August 1975. Secularism, one of the four fundamental state principles, was also dropped from the constitution.
Yesterday's amendment restored secularism and the article which stipulates the procedure for examination of the principle of secularism.
Despite reviving article 12, the amendment retained Islam's status as state religion.
The Arabic phrase Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim has now become a part of the constitution. It was inserted at the beginning of the constitution by a martial law proclamation during Ziaur Rahman's rule.
The Arabic phrase is not a part of the constitution as the country's charter begins with the preamble, the Supreme Court observed in some constitutional cases.
The 8th amendment to the charter gave Islam the status of state religion. The latest amendment has inserted an explanation saying the state religion of the republic is Islam, but the state shall ensure equal status and right in practicing Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and other religions.