Bangla at ‘secular’ crossroads

Bangla at 'secular' crossroads

PTI AND OUR BUREAU

Jan. 5: The Bangladesh Supreme Court has lifted a four-year-old stay, setting the stage for the final battle to restore the word "secularism" to the country's Constitution and force political parties to drop "Islam" from their names. The Supreme Court has vacated the stay on a 2005 ruling by a high court that had thrown out the fifth amendment which allowed religion-based politics to flourish in the country during the past three decades. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the main Opposition and the architect of the fifth amendment, has now moved the apex court seeking a stay on its ruling and challenging the high court verdict. The Supreme Court will hear both pleas simultaneously on January 18. "The original spirit of the Constitution will be restored if the implementation of the high court verdict is cleared by the appellate division of the Supreme Court," law minister Shafique Ahmed told PTI. Such a ruling will also mean dozens of religion-based political parties in Bangladesh will be forced to drop Islam from their names and stop the use of faith while electioneering. The fifth amendment was introduced by a BNP government in 1979 when Zia-ur Rahman, the husband of current party leader Khaleda Zia, was President. The amendment had allowed religion-based political parties to come into being and added the Arabic "Bismillah-Ar-Rahman-Ar-Rahim" (In the name of God, the most merciful, benevolent) to the preamble of the Constitution. The amendment also abolished the word "secularism" from the Constitution. Ahmed said the Arabic words would remain intact as the high court verdict did not say anything about them as they were part of the preamble, not of the "main body". "Secularism would automatically be restored in the Constitution" once the high court verdict is implemented, he said. The fifth amendment had also legitimised the subsequent government of Zia-ur Rahman after the August 15, 1975, assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The original Constitution of 1972 embodied four fundamental principles of nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism. The 2005 judgment was challenged in the Supreme Court by the then BNP-led coalition government with the Jamaat-e-Islami being its key partner. However, with Sheikh Hasina storming back to power in December 2008 in a landslide, the current government decided not to press the appeal at the apex court which has overturned the stay now. Officials in the office of the attorney-general said despite the BNP's intervention, they expected the case to be disposed of soon as the government had decided not to pursue the appeal. Three killed in Pakistani-administered Kashmir bombing Three soldiers have been killed and 11 injured in a suicide bombing outside an army barracks in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, police say. No group has claimed the attack, which occurred in Tarakhal, near the town of Rawalakot, close to the line of control (LOC) with Indian-administered Kashmir. Kashmir is disputed between the two countries. Pakistan's portion has been largely free of violence, although eight Shia Muslims died in an attack last month. The area is home to camps of Sunni militant groups fighting in Indian-administered Kashmir. Rare attacks "The bomber detonated the explosives as he saw the soldiers coming out of their barracks," news agency Reuters quoted Javed Iqbal, chief of police in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as saying. Nearly all the dead and injured are reported to be army soldiers. The wounded have been shifted to hospitals in Rawalakot, police said. Pakistani-administered Kashmir has been home to dozens of militant groups for nearly two decades but such militant attacks are not common in the area, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says. In November, three would-be suicide bombers blew themselves up in the regional capital, Muzaffarabad, when they were chased by the police. All three appeared to be non-Kashmiri men from their appearance and language, police said. On 12 December, a Muharram procession of local Shia Muslims was attacked in Muzaffarabad, killing at least eight people. In June, a suicide bomber targeted soldiers near in Muzaffarabad, killing two soldiers and injuring three others. Tuesday's blast is the first outside of Muzaffarabad. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version Print Sponsor Advertisement Ads by Google Holiday Offers at iStore Exiciting Holiday Offers on iPods, MacBooks & More. 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Equitymaster.com/Sensex_21000 Mediclaim in India Premiums, features & tax benefits of all 16 health insurance cos ApnaPaisa.com/Mediclaim Best Stock Market Tips From Leading 3 Brokers in India Register For 2-Day Free Trial BestStockIdeas.co.in/FreeTrial Middle East News Feeds RSS feed Page last updated at 11:50 GMT, Wednesday, 6 January 2010 Yemen 'arrests al-Qaeda suspects' Yemeni forces have arrested three al-Qaeda suspects who were wounded in a raid on Monday, reports say. Yemen instability 'a wide threat' US adds to air travel watch lists Profile: Al-Qaeda offshoot Iran diplomat in Norway 'resigns' An Iranian official in Oslo resigns in protest at his government's crackdown on opposition supporters, Norwegian TV says. Land row mars Orthodox Christmas Palestinian Christians boycott Orthodox Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, accusing their Church of selling land to Israel. FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS Failing state Is it possible to prevent chaos in Yemen? 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'Yemenite', Sanaa, Yemen TV AND RADIO PROGRAMMES One-minute World News World Service bulletin World Today World Service radio schedules MOST POPULAR STORIES From Middle East in the past week SUNDAY : Al-Qaeda 'planning Yemen attack' SATURDAY : What the Muhammad cartoons portray FRIDAY : Mousavi 'ready to die' for reform MIDDLE EAST WEATHER Obama 'bomb plot' rebuke prompts intelligence pledge Barack Obama said he would not tolerate failures over the plot A top US intelligence official has promised action after sharp criticism from President Barack Obama over a failed airliner bomb plot. Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said the intelligence community had to boost efforts to prevent new types of attacks. Mr Obama had earlier told senior officials that the failure to anticipate the attack was a "screw-up". The alleged bomber is accused of trying to bring down an airliner over Detroit. Mr Obama said US intelligence officials had known that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which claimed responsibility for the plot, had been planning an attack against America. He also said they knew the group had been working with an individual - now known to be Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian charged over the plot. The intelligence community had failed to "connect the dots", Mr Obama said in a statement, adding: "That's not acceptable, and I will not tolerate it." 'We got it' Mr Abdulmutallab's name was on a US database of about 550,000 suspected terrorists, but not on a list that would have subjected him to additional security screening or kept him from boarding the flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Mr Blair reacted by acknowledging the failure of the intelligence community to catch the suspect. MARDELL'S AMERICA The president doesn't do anger easily, indeed was criticised for failing to emote fury after the plot itself, but it can't have been a comfortable meeting Mark Mardell BBC North America editor Read Mark's thoughts in full "The intelligence community received the president's message today - we got it, and we are moving forward to meet the new challenges," he said. He added that intelligence officials had made "considerable progress" in collection and analysis of information and in improving collaboration, although they needed to strengthen their ability to stop "new tactics". Mr Blair's position was created in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US, amid efforts to improve intelligence co-ordination. The White House said before Tuesday's security meeting that Mr Obama was standing by three of his top security officials, including Mr Blair. Excerpts of Obama security speech Security measures around the world Can a human eye spot a bomb? But the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says that given Mr Obama's comments, it seems likely that there will be some kind of shake-up and that heads will roll. Mr Obama spoke on Tuesday after being briefed on security reviews ordered after Mr Abdulmutallab's arrest. According to the White House, he used stronger language in the closed-door meeting with top security officials. "This was a screw-up that could have been disastrous," it quoted the president as telling them. "We dodged a bullet but just barely." Those who attended the meeting included Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, CIA Director Leon Panetta and FBI Director Robert Mueller. Yemen 'training' Enhanced airport screening and a review of the US watch-list system were ordered after the 25 December attempted attack. Since the incident, officials have moved dozens of names on to "watch" and "no-fly" lists, as they seek to overhaul security. A diverse range of observers, in Yemen and abroad, agree that a heavy-handed counter-terrorism strategy will create more problems than it will solve Will Yemen become a failed state? Those on the watch-list are subject to extra security checks, while those on the no-fly list are not allowed to board flights to the US. The suspect began his journey in Lagos, Nigeria, and changed planes at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen were among the 14 countries singled out by Washington for enhanced security measures for travellers, introduced on Monday. Countries considered by the US to be sponsors of terrorism - Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria - were also included. The move sparked objections by some of the states. Cuba and Nigeria said they had protested to US diplomats. Mr Abdulmutallab was allegedly trained in Yemen - a country that has come under increased scrutiny from the US since his arrest. The US suspended the repatriation of Yemeni prisoners from its Guantanamo Bay detention centre in the wake of the plot, though Mr Obama reiterated that he would push on with his plan eventually to close the prison. The US re-opened its embassy in Yemen on Tuesday, following what it called successful counter-terrorism operations by government security forces on Monday north of the capital. Yemeni authorities have tightened security measures at Sanaa's airport, as well as around several other embassies. CHRISTMAS JET BOMB PLOT KEY STORIES Obama given intelligence pledge Obama admits bomb plot failures US embassy open after Yemen raid Third Western Yemen embassy shuts BACKGROUND Al-Qaeda's influence How Yemen could slide towards chaos if action is not taken Al-Qaeda offshoot Profile: Yemen cleric Awlaki Worries over Yemen role Blame game Obama takes flak over failure How are air travellers screened? Q&A: 'Jet bomber' case In pictures: Suspect's journey Security weakness Profile of suspect VIDEO 'A challenge of utmost urgency' Obama links al-Qaeda to jet plot Passenger on overpowering suspect Bomb suspect's friend - 'it's a huge shock' RELATED INTERNET LINKS White House Office of the Director of National Intelligence The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites FROM OTHER NEWS SITES Washington Post Obama: Security agencies failed - 1 hr ago New Statesman* Obama condemns "screw-up" over jet bomb plot - 3 hrs ago Mail Online UK Downing Street 'blabbermouth' starts diplomatic row with U.S. over warnings about Detroit bomber - 4 hrs ago SiliconValley.com Obama sharply criticizes intelligence failure in Christmas bombing attempt - 10 hrs ago Reuters UK Obama says bomb attempt an intelligence "screw-up" - 12 hrs ago About these results * Requires registration TOP AMERICAS STORIES Obama given intelligence pledge Colombian fraudster sent to US China sued by US software company | News feeds MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW SHARED READ WATCHED/LISTENED Is this the world's smartest dog? 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FOREX-Yen falls as FinMin resigns; euro trims losses Reuters Japan finance minister quits before budget Times Online New York Times - Reuters India - Wall Street Journal - BusinessWeek all 1,109 news articles » Email this story Sydney Morning Herald Reports: Israeli Military to Consult Legal Advisers During Future Conflicts Voice of America - ‎44 minutes ago‎ Photo: AP Published reports in Israel say the country's military has decided to consult more closely with legal advisers about how it conducts future offensives. Israel protests to Britain over arrest threats Reuters South Africa Israel army 'to get legal advice during operations' AFP New York Times - Xinhua - Jerusalem Post - The Guardian all 552 news articles » Email this story Show more stories Show fewer stories edit close edit Business » Rediff Nifty ends flat; Grasim, Cipla, M&M up Economic Times - ‎1 hour ago‎ MUMBAI: Equities ended choppy session on a flat note on Wednesday as bulls cooled heels after the recent rally. Negative European markets also dampened sentiments. Sensex closes flat; IT, cap goods slip, pharma, banks gain Moneycontrol.com Sensex ends up 10pts Business Standard India Infoline.com - Sify - Express Buzz - NDTV.com all 233 news articles » हिंदी में Email this story Washington Post Kraft gets 1.52 percent acceptance for Cadbury bid Reuters - David Jones, Dan Lalor - ‎5 hours ago‎ LONDON (Reuters) - Kraft said it had a 1.52 percent take-up from Cadbury shareholders for its 10.5 billion pound ($16.8 billion) hostile bid, with analysts saying the US food group will have to raise its offer to win. Cadbury slips as Kraft reveals early acceptances of just 1.52% The Guardian Kraft bid for Cadbury dealt a blow after vote Times Online CNNMoney.com - BusinessWeek - Reuters India all 1,761 news articles » KFT - PINK:CDSCF - LON:CBRY Email this story SamayLive DB Corp closes 1st day with 25% premium Moneycontrol.com - ‎3 hours ago‎ The publisher of leading Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar, DB Corp closed at Rs 265.90 a 25.42% premium over its issue price of Rs 212, on day one. DB Corp up over 25% on debut Economic Times DB Corp dazzles on Day 1 Business Standard Bloomberg - MediaMughals - India Infoline.com - Wall Street Journal all 39 news articles » Email this story Show more stories Show fewer stories edit close edit Sci/Tech » BBC News What Google's Nexus One Really Means ChannelWeb - Chad Berndtson - ‎13 minutes ago‎ Google's Nexus One smartphone may have been what built the buzz for its big-splash media event Tuesday. But the Nexus One itself is the tip of the iceberg; the real meat of Google's announcement is in the potential of its ... Vodafone Set To Offer Google Nexus Phone In Next Few Weeks Wall Street Journal Nexus One web address used to punt smoky jazz Register PC World - BBC News - Techtree.com - V3.co.uk - Wikipedia: Nexus One all 3,604 news articles » हिंदी में Email this story Gulf Times Nobel laureate Ramakrishnan failed IIT, medical entrance tests Economic Times - ‎21 hours ago‎ 5 Jan 2010, 2138 hrs IST, PTI BANGALORE: Venkataraman Ramakrishnan won the Nobel prize in Chemistry in 2009 but decades ago he failed to clear entrance tests for both the IITs and a reputed medical college. Generating understanding more important than generating information: Nobel ... domain-B 'Don't pursue science to win a Nobel' Indian Express Express Buzz - Mangalorean.com - Zee News - Thaindian.com all 32 news articles » Email this story Mobiletor.com Picture and complete specs of Samsung Corby Pop appears Mobiletor.com - ‎1 hour ago‎ People who have been craving to get their hands on the Samsung Corby Pop will have to wait for some more time. The complete specifications and image of the Corby Pop C3510 seems to now be available, reports Samsung Hub. Samsung launches Corby Speed – S3650 launched in India News Line 365 Samsung's Corby Pop to cost under £100? FoneHome (blog) Know Your Mobile (blog) - 3G (press release) - Little About (blog) - Latest Gadgets (blog) all 13 news articles » Email this story Show more stories Show fewer stories edit close edit Entertainment » Hindustan Times 'Shahid has learnt how to play the game' Rediff - ‎1 hour ago‎ Shahid Kapoor's latest film Chance Pe Dance has quite a few instances from his own life, especially his struggling years. The film also captures his terrific dance moves perfectly. Shahid with Genelia for a night in a car Oneindia Shahid, Genelia planning a sleepover in car Deccan Herald Hindustan Times - Times of India - stardustco.in - IndiaGlitz all 130 news articles » Email this story New York Daily News Brand, Perry engaged in India Sify - ‎1 hour ago‎ Singer Katy Perry and comic actor Russell Brand got engaged during their recent trip to India. Brand popped the question and presented Perry with a ring just before midnight on New Year's Eve in Jaipur, Rajasthan. BUZZ: Russell Brand and Katy Perry Engaged? People Magazine Katy Perry gets henna motiff on India trip Times of India Hindustan Times - Toronto Star - hellomagazine.com - The Press Association - Wikipedia: Russell Brand all 442 news articles » Email this story Hindustan Times Happy Birthday AR Rahman! Galatta.com - ‎3 hours ago‎ Today is a very special day for music lovers. It is the birthday of AR Rahman, one of the most talented and prolific music composers of Tamil cinema. 'Mozart of Madras' Rahman turns 44! Oneindia Happy Birthday, AR Rahman Hindustan Times Apun Ka Choice - Sify - IndiaGlitz - Times of India all 48 news articles » हिंदी में Email this story Show more stories Show fewer stories edit close edit Sports » The Guardian South Africa rule out ball-tampering complaint BBC Sport - ‎1 hour ago‎ South Africa have said they will not make an official complaint over alleged ball-tampering by England in the third Test in Cape Town. Ball tampering issue a close chapter for ICC Hindustan Times South Africa set England formidable target for victory in third Test Times Online The Guardian - AFP - Telegraph.co.uk - CricInfo.com all 2,460 news articles » हिंदी में Email this story Indiainfo.com Churchill Alemao blames cramped flight for molestation row Hindustan Times - ‎23 minutes ago‎ Chief patron of Churchill brothers football club, Churchill Alemao on Wednesday said the cramped interior of a Spice Jet flight could have been one of the reasons for the molestation controversy involving three of his club's players. Churchill Brothers players held for molestation get bail Times of India 'Have evidence against Churchill players' indiablooms IBNLive.com - Times Now.tv - Economic Times - Thaindian.com all 111 news articles » हिंदी में Email this story Indian Express Sania Mirza crashes out of ASB Classic Times of India - ‎4 hours ago‎ PTI 6 January 2010, 03:01pm IST AUCKLAND: Sania Mirza suffered her fourth successive defeat, a straight set mauling, at the hands of Italian Francesca Schiavone to crash out of the ASB Classic WTA tournament on Wednesday. Sania starts year with a win in ASB Classic Hindustan Times Asb Classic Results Voxy TheSportsCampus.com - india-server.com - Press Trust of India all 49 news articles » हिंदी में Email this story Show more stories Show fewer stories edit close edit Health » Little About (blog) Diabetes Compound from Dr. Reddy's Found Successful in Phase III Study MedIndia - ‎1 hour ago‎ India-based drug maker Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and a subsidiary of Nordic Bioscience, Rheoscience, announced the success of a diabetic compound from the first phase III study. Dr Reddy's completes phase III trials Express Buzz Dr Reddy's diabetic drug shows promising results Business Standard Bloomberg - Pharma Times - Livemint - India Infoline.com all 38 news articles » Email this story Little About (blog) Zydus Cadila gets nod for 22-storey hospital at Thaltej Daily News & Analysis - Kuldeep Tiwari - ‎10 hours ago‎ Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad is getting its second tallest building but it is neither a hotel nor a residential scheme. It is a multi-speciality hospital. Zydus Cadila gets DCGI nod to conduct trials for H1N1 vaccine Economic Times Ahmedabad drug firms in race for H1N1 vaccine Indian Express Business Standard - Pharma Times - In-PharmaTechnologist.com - Gerson Lehrman Group all 27 news articles » Email this story Los Angeles Times House Democrats to Pursue Health Bill Changes New York Times - David M. Herszenhorn - ‎11 hours ago‎ WASHINGTON - House Democratic leaders said Tuesday that they would insist on changes to the Senate health care legislation to make coverage more affordable for middle-class Americans and to tighten control over the insurance ... A Presidential Push To Finalize Health Reform Quickly Kaiser Health News House Starts Health Reform Reconciliation Process HealthLeaders Media CNN International - BusinessWeek - NPR - Medical News Today (press release) all 1,887 news articles » Email this story Show more stories Show fewer stories edit close edit More Top Stories » PakTribune.com Three killed in Pakistani-administered Kashmir bombing BBC News - ‎4 hours ago‎ Three soldiers have been killed and 11 injured in a suicide bombing outside an army barracks in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, police say. Scope to cut troops in Kashmir: NSA Indian Express Attack in Kashmir Kills 3 Pakistani Soldiers New York Times Bloomberg - Press Trust of India - Sify - Moneycontrol.com all 351 news articles » Email this story Indian Express Voices demanding justice for Ruchika fill cyberspace Hindustan Times - ‎8 hours ago‎ 'We want justice for Ruchika' - the unanimous voice of thousands is filling up cyberspace every day. 'Justice for Ruchika' is an online group that has sprung up on the popular social networking website Facebook. Video: Rathore accused of driving Ruchika to suicide NDTV.com Personal Thought: From Jessica to Ruchika Central Chronicle Press Trust of India - Frontline - Calcutta Telegraph - Indian Express all 345 news articles » हिंदी में Email this story DAWN.com Jihadists waiting to strike India Economic Times - ‎14 hours ago‎ NEW DELHI: US strategic think tank, Stratfor, which has warned of the possibility of another Mumbai type attack, said there is a "strong jihadist strategic intent to launch a major attack against India. 'Islamabad' car has cops on the edge Times of India WASHINGTON DIARY: End of the military-jihadi nexus —Dr Manzur Ejaz Daily Times Daily Pioneer - Reuters - Central Chronicle - DAWN.com all 60 news articles » Email this story Show more stories Show fewer stories The selection and placement of stories on this page were determined automatically by a computer program.