দুটি রাজধানী হতে হবে
২১ ফেব্রুয়ারি ১৯৫৬
করাচী
The constituent assembly of Pakistan:
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
So, sir, I was telling you this point about parity. Now if 150 come from East Bengal, then naturally there will be 25 or 30 minority members and 110 will come from the Muslims. Now, Sir, they are dividing us to rule as they are doing it today. Now, there is a point which I would like to discuss and to tell you and on which I hope my leader will also speak. Now if this amendment of Mr. Abdus Sattar is accepted, by this they want to send it to the province without any power. Now, is it not a bluff? It is the demand of every person in East Pakistan that we want joint electorate. There is no question of this and of that and if they do not accept joint electorate, we do not accept parity. There is no parity and if they pass this Constitution by brute majority, we know how to deal with that because the people of East Bengal are behind us and they will not accept it. You are giving this bluff to the people of East Bengal and you will see its consequences. There will be joint electorate. Can I ask, Mr. Aleem, “Have you not promised this to the people and now you are trying to shirk that responsibility?” With these words, Sir, I commend my amendment for the acceptance of the House and I oppose the amendment of Mr. Abdus Sattar who also promised that it will be joint electorate and now unfortunately for the sake of power, he has violated it.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Sir, my amendment is clear. I do not like to speak on this motion for more than a few minutes because this is the demand of the people of East Pakistan that there should be two Capitals because in a country like Pakistan one wing of which is about 1,200 miles away from the other wing, it is necessary to have two Federal Capitals. My friends on the opposite might say that it cannot be done. I can cite illustrations of some countries. Sir, in South Africa there are three. In India there are two Capitals, namely, Delhi and Simla and at the same time in Pakistan because of the peculiar geographical condition of this country, there should be two Capitals. Ours is absolutely, a new country and one wing being separated by 1,200 miles from the other, it is impossible to work without two capitals, one should be at Dacca and the other at Karachi. Is it possible on the part of the people of East Bengal to come over to Karachi to ask for a small remedy, even so far at the business is concerned, service is concerned or other matters are concerned. Now in this Constitution What do we see? In the name of Federal Constitution, they have made Unitary Constitution and as such all powers vest in the hands of Centre and for everything the people of East Pakistan will have to come to Karachi. If the people of West Pakistan have to come to Karachi, they have to spend at least 400 rupees for coming and going. How, is it possible for a poor man to come from East Bengali to Karachi for a small remedy? It is impossible, specially when the country has been divided into two wings separated by 1,200 miles by a foreign territory. Therefore, Sir, what is the harm in keeping two Capitals. supposing if there are 12 Ministers, six of them can remain here and six can go there and in this way exchange themselves, for the administration of the country as a whole. In this way the people can directly approach the Central Government and the Central administration for any grievance. I have already told you that it is absolutely necessary to have two capitals because it is rather a unitary form of constitution because in the name of Federation they have taken all the powers in the hand of Centre.
Honourable Deputy Speaker: It is harmless to advance on absurdity!
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: How do you say that it is absurd? we have created to wings by separating each wing by 1,200 miles. Is it not absurdity?
Honourable Deputy Speaker: You were directed by the Honourable Speaker to speak about the amendment known as “Federal Capital.”
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Yes, I am saying about the Federal capital.
Honourable Deputy Speaker: But your amendment say “Capitals”.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Two Capitals “Dacca and Karachi”. This is my point of view to which I want to draw your attention that there should be two Capitals for the people of Pakistan, because the majority of the people are living in East Bengal. We may accept parity or any other recommendation. But it must always be kept in mind that at least 56 percent of the population of the people of Pakistan are living in East Bengal and the Capital is in Karachi and the people of East Pakistan are not getting any direct fruit of the Federal Capital being here because it is impossible for the people of East Bengal to come every now and then for the redress of their small grievances. sometimes our Central Ministers go there for two or three days to visit their house and come back. The people do not get any chance to see them. Sometimes they go to see the food situation and instead of that they go to their villages and address public meeting and spend the public money, money of the poor people. So, Sir, the people of East Bengal want that their representatives should be there so that they can approach them for the redress of their grievances. Now, Sir, we have seen how the food, situation in the province has deteriorated and people are dying without food, and the Central Government is responsible for it because the provincial Government cannot continue without the help of the Central Government.
(Mr. Yousuf A. Haroon: Sir, on a point of order. Have you accepted his amendment? If you have not accepted it and if he is speaking on amendment, then it is irrelevant to the subject of the amendment.)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Sir, you have accepted my amendment. I am very sorry, the mind of my friend is not here. It is somewhere outside the House. I am sorry for him. My point is that you have accepted my amendment and I am speaking on my amendment. With these few words, sir, I request them to accept my amendment that there should be two capitals of the Federation – Dacca and Karachi.
(Honourable Deputy Speaker: I have not accepted your amendment.)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: You have, Sir, then where was the point in my speaking on it?
(Honourable Deputy Speaker: I have been waiting for all this time to see how it was relevant.)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: You could say “it was irrelevant”. But you have accepted it and I have moved it.
(Honourable Deputy Speaker: When I give you a long rope to prove whether it is relevant or not, you object to that. When I will give you a short rope to prove whether it is relevant or not, you object to that. Now what do you want me to do?)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Sir, you could have said that it is irrelevant
Honourable Deputy Speaker: I repeated it and asked you to show how this amendment is relevant and you have been allowed to link it with this amendment. If is not relevant, please try and make it relevant. I will give you that opportunity. Now I am not here to coach you as how to do it.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: It will go with clause 218 of this Bill.
(Honourable Deputy Speaker: Where should it come?)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: My amendment is coming.
(Honourable Deputy Speaker: But this is a substitution clause.)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: My amendment will come first as I have sent it three months ago. His amendment has come today.
(Honourable Deputy Speaker: Make your point.)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:I have already submitted what I had to say on my amendment and I commend it for the acceptance of the House that 56 percent of the total population of Pakistan are living there and they demand that Dacca and Karachi should be the two Capitals of Pakistan.
Reference:
Iqbal, S. (1997) Sheikh Mujib in Parliament (1955-58), p. 229-245, Dhaka, Agami Prakashani
বাজেট সেশন বিলম্বিত করা সম্পর্কে বঙ্গবন্ধু
২৩ ফেব্রুয়ারি ১৯৫৬
করাচী
The constituent assembly of Pakistan:
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (East Bengal: Muslim): Sir, opposing this Bill of Mr. Amir Azam Khan, I want to draw your attention to the ulterior motive that lies behind it. It was generally thought and understood that the Budget would be passed by 31st March. Now, Sir, you as a member of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly, having been elected in 1954. have no ya got an opportunity to sit and discuss the problems East Bengal Government. Since our election, many things have taken place. Section 92 was imposed. Some M. L. A.s are in Jail. A nominated person becomes the Chief Minister of East Bengal the man who is not the leader of the party. The Central Government simply nominated him to be the Chief Minister. Sir, after two years the representatives of the people had expected that they would sit in the East Bengal Legislative Assembly and discuss the Budget, as also other problems requiring urgent attention of the Government. No Government can carry on without budget. This has been going on for the last two years. East Bengal has suffered from two serious floods and there is food crisis there. There are other problems also which have to be tackled effectively and urgently, but it is a pity that the representatives of the people have not had an opportunity to sit and discuss them. Now the Central Government has come with this Bill, knowing fully well that the Government of East Bengal is going to be defeated and the Ministry will definitely fall. Therefore, it is just to tide over that difficulty that they have come forward with this Bill. There is no other motive behind it. They have put the plea that as the Members of the Constituent Assembly are also the members of the provincial Assemblies it is not possible for them to hold the budget session in the Provinces and meet here at the same time, Sir, we are only 80 members here, and in West Pakistan there are 310 member. Besides, out of 40 from each province. all are not M. L. As. There are about 20 to 25 percent from East Bengal. If they really feel their responsibility and realize the importance of holding the Budget session earlier, can they not sit here and finish their work so as to be in their respective provinces in time for the Budget Session. But, this is not their intention because it does not suit them. Under the plea that their presence here is essential, they want to avoid the fall of the East Bengal Ministry. In the Statement of Objects and Reasons they have said:
“As several members of The constituent assembly of Pakistan:are also members of the Legislatures of the Provinces is required both at the Centre and in the provinces when the budgets for 1956-57 are brought forward. The passing of the new Constitution has had to be given preference over everything else and this means that already not enough time will now be left to deal with both the Central and the provincial Budgets before the new financial year begins…..”
Sir, if they like they can call the budget session from 1st March both in East and West Pakistan. But they do not want it, because this schedule of time does not suit them. They want to extend the time by two months – up to May. We can understand it, and the members of the United Front party also know that their days are numbered. They cannot continue long, because the first day they meet in East Bengal, the Ministry will fall. They did nothing to control the floods. They have not been able to avert the food crisis. They have actually betrayed the East Bengal people in respect of provincial autonomy. That is the only reason for delaying the Budget session. That is their ulterior motive, because they cannot face the people in East Bengal. But I want the party in power that they cannot save this Government by dilatory tactics of this kind. They may continue for anther two months, but what will happen afterwards? You have to impose Section 93. Had there been some good motive behind this Bill, we would not have objected. we can finish the Constitution by Monday to Tuesday and start the Budget Session in the provinces on the 1st or 2nd March. But why the time should be extended by two months? I do not like to go further into the details of this matter. Another reason why they do not want to hold the Provincial Budget Sessions earlier is that on the very first day when the provincial assembly in East Bengal will meet they will vote against the Constitution, which is against the interests of East Bengal. This fear has prompted them to come forward with this Bill and this is the cause of their not holding the meeting of the Provincial Assembly earlier, because the people of East Bengal will not accept and resist the Constitution which is not only against interests of the people of East Bengal but against the interests of Pakistan as a whole. That is the cause. They want to avoid the situation because a resolution is coming up before the East Bengal Assembly on the very day and this Constitution will be rejected out-right. Even the people who have noted here in favour of the Constitution cannot dare do that in East Bengal because the public opinion is very strong on this issue. First a resolution will be passed; Secondly, the Ministry will fall and thirdly, the Central Government-these people cannot stay with Muslim league because the people will force them to resign. By this measure it is intended to save these people and in order to achieve results they went to the Prime Minister and the Muslim league party. That is the ulterior motive of these people.
Sir, I am strongly opposed to this bill – not that, I feel it is against the fundamental principles of democracy, because we have every right to discuss our budget within a date before 31st March. I say that you have no right to delay the budget and play with the sentiments of the people. With these words, I oppose.
Reference:
Iqbal, S. (1997) Sheikh Mujib in Parliament (1955-58), p. 246-249, Dhaka, Agami Prakashani
মহিলা আসন বাড়ানোর ব্যাপারে বঙ্গবন্ধু
২৮ ফেব্রুয়ারি ১৯৫৬
করাচী
The constituent assembly of Pakistan:
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Sir, I do not like to give any long speech on this because my friend has already dealt with it sufficiently. I only wish to point out that in East Bengal Assembly where there are 309 members, 12 seats have been reserved for women. Whereas in our Constitution we are only giving 10 seats to our women. What would be the position? Though we have not yet decided the question of electorate whether it will be joint electorate or separate, how many seats will go to the minorities and how many seats will go to the majority. On the basis of separate electorate we have 9 Muslim seats and 3 non-Muslim for women in East Bengal Assembly. Therefore, I appeal to the Honourable Prime Minister that when we have got 12 seats reserved for women in our East Bengal Assembly, what is the harm if we have 20 seats reserved for them in our National Assembly because they are half the population of Pakistan. Mulla elements might give a fatwa and raise a voice as some of them have already started saying that our womenfolk must remain inside their houses and should not dabble in politics. For this reason I was thinking to give a suggestion to the Honourable Minister of Industries to instruct Valika mills to produce more burquas because sooner those Mullas will start saying that they should remain inside their House and more burquas will be needed Therefore, Sir, I appeal to them to accept the amendment of my friend Mr. Zahiruddin for the reservation of 20 seats for women in the National Assembly because they are our sisters and they have got every right. They are equal citizens of Pakistan. If we do not provide this safeguard for them, it will be difficult for them to compete in open seats with men. If the amendment of Mr. Zahiruddin is accepted then we will be doing a great service to our womenfolk and that will also be better for the development of the nation and by that men and women can work together for the emancipation of the country.
(Mr. Yousuf A. Haroon: Sir, the Honourable Members from the opposite seem to be champions of the rights of our women!)
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: You are the champion of the rights of women in Karachi!
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Sir, the amendments moved by Mr. Yousuf Haroon relate to an important matter and I want to draw his attention to certain point so that he may reconsider the matter. Sir, one of the amendments says that:
“2. The Chief Election Commissioner shall appoint Presiding Officers to preside at the meeting of the National Assembly, which shall be held at Karachi, and the meetings of the provincial assemblies of East Pakistan and West Pakistan, Which shall be held at Dacca and Lahore respectively.” Sir, for the National Assembly there will be a Speaker and the Speaker should preside over the election of the President. Now the Chief Election Commissioner will be appointed by the President and we have already passed the provision that President’s election cannot be questioned in a court of law. Now, Sir, the question is that we have Rules of procedure of the House both as the Legislature and National Assembly. Their argument might be this that Speaker cannot vote because he is a member of the House, but according to the Rules of Procedure, Sir, the Speaker should preside over the election of the President as it is he who has to preside over all the functions of the House.
(At this stage two Honourable Members were discussing something amongst themselves and were noticed by the Honourable Member, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman).
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: I am sorry, they do not care to hear our arguments because they have got a majority and that is why they do not care and are unwilling to hear what we may say from this side of the House.
Now, Sir, the position is that Chief Election Commissioner will be appointed by the President and this Chief Election Commissioner will appoint Officers who will preside over the meetings of the National Assembly and they will also preside over the meetings of the Provincial Assemblies. Sir, as we have already got a Speaker for the National Assembly.
Reference:
Iqbal, S. (1997) Sheikh Mujib in Parliament (1955-58), p. 250-252, Dhaka, Agami Prakashani