State reform movement in Rangpur and 36 July Forum- held a day-long dialogue in rangpur. Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Feb 8, 2025 (BSS) - It has become an urgent need to initiate 
constitutional reform through a political agreement involving political 
partners in constructive discussions to create a structural framework for 
establishing national consensus.
 
The observation came today at a dialogue arranged aiming at beginning a 
broader endeavor to take on political stakeholders for establishing a 
'Consensus Council' under the interim government's supervision through 
political agreement.
 
The Rastro Sangskar Andolon (State Reform Movement) and July 36 Forum-
Aparajeyo Bangla organised the daylong dialogue titled "Is Constitutional 
Reform Possible without Consensus" at Hotel Caspia in the city.
 
Rangpur district coordinator of the State Reform Movement Professor Chinu 
Kabir presided over the event participated by leaders of political parties, 
student coordinators and leaders, civil society members and professionals. 
 
Chief coordinator of the State Reform Movement Advocate Hasnat Qayum as the 
keynote discussant attended the event that was moderated by Rangpur 
divisional coordinator of the organisation Advocate Raihan Kabir. 
 
Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Convener Samsuzzaman Samu, Islami Andolon Rangpur 
District Secretary Md Amiruzzaman Piyal, AB Party Rangpur Metropolitan 
Convener Advocate Abdur Rouf, its Member-secretary Mahbubar Rahman Mahbub, 
Rangpur Divisional Coordinator of Gono Adhikar Parishad Hanif Khan Sajib, 
Rangpur District Gano Sanghati Andolon Coordinator Tauhidur Rahman, JSD 
Rangpur Metropolitan Member-secretary ABM Mashiur Rahman, Nagorik Oikko 
District Convener Mahi Azad, Begum Rokeya University Student Coordinator 
Shahriar Sohag, Advocate Munir Chowdhury, Principal Fakhrul Anam Benzu, among 
others, participated in the open discussion.
 
In his welcome address, Professor Chinu Kabir said that the nation has got an 
opportunity through the July 24 mass uprising to bring necessary reforms to 
the constitution.
 
"Bangladesh is now in a critical stage. Political parties should come to a 
consensus by making some concessions to form the 'Consensus Council'. 
Otherwise, the problems may concentrate further, putting the nation into a 
deeper crisis," he said.
 
While presenting the keynote speech, Media and Publicity Coordinator of the 
State Reform Movement Syed Hasibuddin Hossain said the demand for 
constitutional reforms has emerged since the July uprising. 
 
He discussed the importance of initiating constitutional reforms without 
waiting for the interim government. 
 
It will be difficult for the interim government to extract a minimum of unity 
from the recommendations made by the Constitutional Reform Commission. 
 
He proposed that political parties should come together to form a Consensus 
Council to discuss the process of reforms and steadily implement the 
necessary changes through dialogue and negotiation and giving concessions. 
 
Additionally, he suggested that the interim government's Unity Commission 
should act as a secretariat to facilitate this process of forming a Consensus 
Council to take the process of reforms ahead.
 
BNP leader Samsuzzaman Samu said consensus among political parties are very 
much needed to take the process of constitutional reforms ahead. There must 
be unity in the political circles regarding reforms.
 
He said, "BNP has moral approval for the proposal to form a 'Consensus 
Council' with all parties. But the decision on the reform issue will be in 
the hands of the elected representatives. We have stated the BNP's 31-point 
reform agenda."
 
"Along with reforms, general elections should be held as early as possible to 
resolve many problems being faced by the people at this moment and bring 
stability in every sector," he added.
 
The other speakers said that there is no alternative to national unity to 
address the crisis being faced by the nation and maintaining political unity 
is essential to resolve the growing concern.
 
Highlighting the challenges of state reform, they said essential moments do 
not come often in a nation's history. Political parties should learn from 
history and work towards a new political settlement based on national 
consensus.
 
Advocate Hasnat Qayum said the country is going through a critical moment. 
Political parties should do their best to achieve political consensus to 
reform the constitution so that fascism cannot rise again. 
 
"We started a new campaign to achieve political consensus on constitutional 
reform by organizing a dialogue in Rangpur today, from where the brave son of 
Rangpur sacrificed his life to make the July Revolution a success," he said.