Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the government wanted to implement constitutional reforms through consensus with the opposition, but would proceed with the amendments to implement the July National Charter even if the opposition chose not to participate.

"We want to adopt constitutional amendments through consensus and unity, with the participation of both the ruling and opposition parties," he told reporters after the seventh meeting of the Special Committee on Constitutional Reform at the Media Centre of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The minister said the government had repeatedly invited the opposition to join the reform process and would continue to welcome its participation. However, if the opposition remained unwilling to take part, the government would have to move forward with the proposed amendments.

"Implementing the July Charter is a national expectation and our commitment," he said.

Salahuddin said the July National Charter had been formulated through discussions and consensus under the National Consensus Commission, chaired by former Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, with Professor Ali Riaz serving as vice-chairman.

He said the government was now working to implement the charter and had invited the opposition to nominate representatives to the committee. Once nominated, the representatives would be given the opportunity to participate in the discussions.

The opposition had been invited to attend every meeting, including parliamentary sessions, and could also submit written opinions, he said. Further opportunities to contribute would be available when the constitutional amendment bill was placed before parliament after the committee finalised its report.

Describing today's meeting as important and constructive, the minister said several participants had submitted written opinions, while others had agreed to submit their proposals within the next two weeks.

The discussions focused on incorporating the July National Charter into different provisions of the Constitution, constitutional amendment procedures, the caretaker government system, judicial independence and jurisdiction, the fundamental principles of state policy, and ways to clarify the concept of popular sovereignty.

Regarding constitutional amendments, Salahuddin said the participants discussed Article 142 of the existing Constitution, which sets out the procedure for amending the charter.

They also examined how to address the referendum provision, which was abolished through the 15th Amendment and subsequently became the subject of court rulings.

Various proposals were discussed to ensure that the constitutional amendment process would be neither excessively rigid nor too flexible, he added.

On the caretaker government system, the minister said participants exchanged views on its formation and possible alternatives. He noted that consensus had been reached during the formulation of the July National Charter on removing the provision that refers the matter to the President as a last resort if agreement cannot be reached through earlier options.

The possible role of the judiciary as a last resort was also discussed, although detailed written proposals on the issue were yet to be received.

On judicial independence and jurisdiction, Salahuddin said the discussions centred on the judiciary's authority to interpret the Constitution and determine issues relating to its basic structure.

Participants also emphasised the need to safeguard judicial independence and prevent any organ of the state from exercising undue authority over another.

The meeting further discussed whether certain principles of state policy could be made enforceable by incorporating them into fundamental rights. Participants also explored ways to make the concept of popular sovereignty clearer and more consistent in the Constitution's provisions concerning the Republic.

Salahuddin said the committee also exchanged views on establishing a bicameral parliament, including the formation of an upper house, the groups or regions to be represented, the method of selecting members, the possibility of district-based representation and the use of proportional representation (PR).

The committee would review the written proposals before holding further discussions, he said.

The minister added that the committee planned to hold day-long discussions on October 24 with representatives of the Supreme Court Bar Association, prominent lawyers and constitutional experts to hear their views in detail.

Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, committee member Zainul Abedin, MP, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Hoque, State Minister for Land Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, and MP Md Mahmudul Haque Rubel, among others, attended the meeting.

Vice-chancellors of different universities, national professors, former vice-chancellors, academics and intellectuals also participated in the seventh meeting.

Salahuddin said the committee would consider the written and oral opinions of academics before finalising its constitutional reform proposals.

He added that, beyond the provisions outlined in the July National Charter, the proposed amendments might include other issues based on the needs of the state, the government's election manifesto and public expectations.