Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Moudud Ahmed on Saturday termed ‘dangerous’ the Finance Minister’s remarks over the cancellation of the 16th amendment to the Constitution by the apex court.

“A senior minister yesterday said Parliament will amend the constitution every time the judiciary cancels the amendment. This is a dangerous remark…its consequence will not be good,” Moudud said addressing a discussion in the city.

Nagorik Forum arranged the discussion titled ‘Neutral and Participatory Election: Necessity of Political Unity’ at National Press Club.

The BNP leader said the remark proves that the government has no confidence in the Supreme Court and the judiciary as it does not believe in the independence of the judiciary.
 
If he wants to engage in the competition with the judiciary, it will face defeat, said Moudud, also a former law minister. 

“Those who intervene in the judiciary, their hands get burnt. We saw this in the past and also see now. The judiciary can survive in the race, but not the government and parliament,” he said.

There may be change in the government, and parliament may see new elections, but the existence and dignity of judiciary always remains there and will do so in the future, the senior Supreme Court lawyer said.

If the government wants to bring the same amendment to the constitution again ignoring the court’s judgment, it will make a mistake, which will expedite their fall, he warned.

He praised the apex court’s judgment that cancelled the 16th amendment to the constitution, saying the verdict reflected the desire of the country’s 16 crore people.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith in Sylhet on Friday last said Parliament will amend the constitution empowering it to remove the Supreme Court judges every time the judiciary cancels the amendment.

“Parliament enjoys the right to pass any amendment as it is the legislative assembly and its position is above everything,” Muhith said.
 
About BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s London visit, Moudud said she will return home after receiving medical treatment there, but falsehood is being spread over her visit.

He criticised the government for not allowing BNP to hold indoor meetings for collecting new members across the country including his constituency in Noakhali.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Gano Forum executive president advocate Subrata Chowdhury and Dhaka University Prof SM Hasan Talukder spoke at the function presided over by Nagorik Forum President Abdullahil Masud.

At a press conference in BNP Nayapaltan central office, the party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticised the Finance Minister for his remarks over the court’s judgment. “Such remarks from the minister over the court’s judgment are obviously tantamount to the contempt of court and absolute audacity to the rules of law.”
  
Terming the remarks a dangerous sign, he said ministers and ruling party leaders have become inconsistent in making remarks as their desire to hang onto power for ever gets impeded.