New Bangladesh Prime Minister Wants Return To Secularism

Bangladesh's new Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, says that she will move to restore the country's first constitution, framed in 1972, in order to return the country to the principle of secularism. LiveMint.com reported yesterday that since a 1975 coup, Bangladesh has experienced a rise in religious militancy as religion-based parties entered politics. IANS yesterday quotes Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shafique Ahmed who also says that the government will restore the basic principles of the 1972 Constitution which focused on the principles of nationalism, democracy, secularism and socialism. Ahmed says he seeks a return of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.