AL uses constitutional powers to oppress: Asif Nazrul
Published: 27 August 2025, 2:09:13
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Prof Dr. Asif Nazrul accused the Awami League of treating oppression as a constitutional prerogative, asserting that the party disregarded the will of the people in favor of consolidating unchecked power.
Speaking as a panelist at a book launch at the Supreme Court Bar Association Auditorium, Dr. Nazrul criticized the AL’s political practices and described the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution as a product of arrogance rather than reasoned legislative process.
“The fascist Awami League did not value public will but sought to institutionalize the power to torture as their right,” he said. “Their politics centered on undermining the legacy of Ziaur Rahman and elevating Bangabandhu to the highest pedestal.”
Dr. Nazrul remarked that the 15th Amendment was particularly troubling, noting the concentration of power in the Prime Minister’s office and the imposition of restrictions on fundamental rights. He said such debates were largely absent in earlier decades, but contemporary discussions on transparency and accountability have brought constitutional issues into sharper focus.
The book launched at the event, ”Revolutionary Constitutionalism: And Why It Was Essential to Declare the Fifteenth Amendment Unconstitutional”, is authored by Senior Advocate Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan and aims to provide new perspectives on Bangladesh’s constitutional history and political evolution.
Dr. Nazrul emphasized the importance of popularizing constitutional studies to foster civic awareness. “Understanding our constitutional history is crucial. While the Constituent Assembly debates were rich, they often go unnoticed. Engaging people in these discussions can gradually build interest in constitutionalism,” he said.
The event also featured remarks from prominent legal and academic figures, including Justice Md. Emdadul Haque, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr. Muhammad Ekramul Haque, and lawyer Millat Hossain. The session was chaired by Barrister Sara Hossain, Senior Advocate and Executive Director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), with constitutional expert Barrister Dr. Kamal Hossain in attendance.
