An adjutant general is a military chief administrative officer.
106-535: Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1 February 1930 – 14 July 2019) was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as the president of Bangladesh from 1982 to 1990. He seized power as head of the army during a bloodless coup against President Abdus Sattar on 24 March 1982 (by imposing martial law and suspending the Constitution ). He declared himself President in 1983, and subsequently won
212-581: A Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Commission in 1976, but resisted holding a political dialogue with the representatives of the hill tribes on the issue of autonomy and cultural self-preservation. On 2 July 1977 Ziaur Rahman organised a tribal convention to promote a dialogue between the government and tribal groups. However, most cultural and political issues would remain unresolved and intermittent incidents of inter-community violence and militancy occurred throughout Zia's rule. Reforms and international relations Notable mentions of Ziaur Rahman's tenure as
318-726: A Liberal Nationalism that emphasised on the liberation of Bengalis from Pakistan's autocratic regime. Zia emphasised the national role of Islam (as practised by the majority of Bangladeshis). Claiming to promote an inclusive national identity, Zia reached out to non-Bengali minorities such as the Santals , Garos , Manipuris and Chakmas , as well as the Urdu -speaking peoples of Bihari origin. However, many of these groups were predominantly Hindu and Buddhist and were alienated by Zia's promotion of political Islam. In an effort to promote cultural assimilation and economic development, Zia appointed
424-774: A brigade in Sialkot , he was given command of the 3rd East Bengal Regiment in 1969 and the 7th East Bengal Regiment in 1971. From the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War , Ershad was interned along with other Bengali officers stationed in West Pakistan and held as a prisoner of war . In 1973 he and the others were repatriated to the new nation of Bangladesh in accordance with the Simla Agreement between India's Indira Gandhi and Pakistan's Zulfikar Ali Bhutto . After his return, Ershad
530-535: A pardon to anybody, overriding any court verdict in Bangladesh. By Article 80, the president can refuse to assent to any bill passed by the parliament, sending it back for review. A bill is enacted only after the president assents to it. But when the bill is passed again by the parliament, if the president further fails or refuse to assent a bill, after a certain period of days, the bill will be automatically transformed into law and will be considered as assented by
636-501: A five-year term on Monday, 24 April 2023. Currently, although the position of president holds de jure importance, its de facto powers are largely ceremonial. The Constitution allows the president to act only upon the advice of the prime minister and his/her Cabinet . The president can appoint the following to office: The president has the prerogative of mercy by Article 49 of the Constitution, which allows him to grant
742-594: A new national emergency and called for elections within 6 months. Sattar was elected president and won. Sattar was ineffective, however, and Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. H.M. Ershad assumed power in a bloodless coup in March 1982. Hussain Muhammad Ershad (Jatiya Party) Like his predecessors, Ershad dissolved parliament, declared martial law, assumed the position of CMLA, suspended the constitution, and banned political activity. Ershad reaffirmed Bangladesh's moderate, non-aligned foreign policy. In December 1983, he assumed
848-497: A person is allowed to contest from three places, but can retain only one seat and two are to have by-elections after formation of government. These constituencies included Rangpur ( Rangpur-3 and Kurigram-2 ), and Dhaka-17 , the capital's diplomatic zone, where he resides. He won all three seats in the election. The 2014 Election was a controversial election for Jatiya Party where Ershad's spokesperson Bobby Hajjaj had first publicly declared that Jatiya Party would not participate in
954-512: A president have been radical reforms both in country's infrastructure and diplomacy. President Zia successfully pointed out the grounds those could be effectively and exclusively decisive for development of Bangladesh and his reforms covered the political, economical, agricultural and military infrastructure of Bangladesh. Reorganisation of Bangladesh's international relations are especially mentionable because it had active influence over both economy and politics. He successfully bailed Bangladesh out of
1060-562: A presidential speech addressed to the nation but indefinitely postponed it in November 1976. Mostaq Ahmad was sentenced for five years for corruption and abuse of power. Ziaur Rahman (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) Major General Ziaur Rahman , a renowned war hero who was put under house arrest on alleged charges of participation in the Mujib assassination plot (probably due to being among Mostaq's promoted armed forces chiefs), emerged into
1166-407: A professional officer and having a talent for Bengali speech writing, Ershad soon became the closest politico-military counsellor of Ziaur Rahman. After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman on 30 May 1981, Ershad remained loyal to the government. He ordered the army to suppress the coup attempt by Major General Abul Manzoor . Ershad maintained loyalty to the new president Abdus Sattar , who had led
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#17327661153141272-464: A result, he could not contest the 2001 elections . At the time of his death there were still a few other pending cases against him but most had been thrown out of the court or had cleared him of any wrongdoing. The most famous case that the BNP Government at the time falsely implicated him by was a gold smuggling case. This was later thrown out by a Dhaka Court. In 2006, he protested against
1378-412: A state of emergency which was followed by arrest of opposition leaders including Mirza Golam Hafiz and Zillur Rahman . On 6 December 1987, Ershad dissolved the parliament in the midst of an opposition campaign calling for his and his government's resignation, and a nationwide state of emergency, which had been declared on 27 November. He stated that he wished to pave the way for fresh elections to receive
1484-599: A unitary parliamentary republic based on the British Westminster System and transferring all executive powers to the prime minister. Later, after the general election in 1973 where Mujib's party the Awami League achieved an expected landslide victory overkilling the opposition (not only because of intimidation of candidates and ballot stuffing by the ruling party leaders), in January 1974,
1590-476: A vice-president Zia assumed acting presidency. The presidency was legitimized 40 days later through a national confidence referendum . Finally in the presidential election the following year , Zia became the first directly elected president. His government removed the remaining restrictions on political parties and encouraged all opposition parties to participate in the pending general election while putting military generals into politics. More than 30 parties vied in
1696-459: Is a parliamentary system , it does not have a vice-president. However, during the presidential system of governance, Bangladesh had a vice-president who would assume the president's role in his absence; the post was abolished by the twelfth amendment to the Constitution in 1991. A president can resign from office by writing a letter by hand to the Speaker. The president can also be impeached by
1802-610: Is granted immunity for all his actions by Article 51 of the Constitution and is not answerable to anybody for his actions, and no criminal charges can be brought to the Court against him. The only exception to this immunity is if the Parliament seeks to impeach the President . Article 54 of the Constitution of Bangladesh provides for the succession of the president. It states that in case of absence due to illness or other reasons,
1908-402: Is his office and residence. The president is elected by the 350 parliamentarians in an open ballot , and thus generally represents the majority party of the legislature. He continues to hold office after his five-year term expires until a successor is elected to the presidency. Mohammed Shahabuddin is the current president; he was elected unopposed on 13 February 2023. He took office for
2014-983: Is located in Dhaka . There is also a Presidential Palace at Uttara Ganabhaban in Natore District . At the beginning of the Bangladesh war of independence in April 1971, the Bangladesh Forces , better known as the Mukti Bahini , and the Provisional Government of Bangladesh , popularly called the Mujibnagar Government , were both established. After the oath ceremony held at Meherpur , Kushtia following Yahya Khan 's anti-secessionist military operation in Dhaka ,
2120-517: The adjudant-général was a senior staff officer, effectively an assistant to a general officer. It was a special position for lieutenant-colonels and colonels in staff service. Starting in 1795, only colonels could be appointed to the position. It was supplemented by the rank of adjudant-commandant in 1800. In 1803 the position was abolished and adjudants-généraux reverted to the rank of colonel. The General Adjutants (generals only) and Wing Adjutants (staff officers only) were used to service
2226-542: The 1979 general election , and with massive public support, Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) achieved a single-party majority. After the election in February, the withdrawal of martial law was proclaimed on 6 April and the 2nd parliament was formed 9 days later. Drifting away from the Secular State and Liberal Nationalism Zia moved to lead the nation in a new direction, significantly different from
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#17327661153142332-555: The Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh , which was formed out of the East Pakistani elected members of the 1970 Pakistani general election , convened a month after the war on 12 January 1972, he introduced parliamentarism through a presidential decree and left office for the role of prime minister. In December on the first anniversary of the end of the war, the new constitution of the country took effect founding
2438-528: The Indo-Soviet bloc and grabbed the distancing strings to put bar on the gradually deterioration of Bangladeshi relations with the Western world . Zia gave attention to the other Eastern superpower China that later helped Bangladesh hugely to recover from economical setbacks and to enrich the arsenal of her armed forces . The most notable of Zia's reformed diplomacy was establishing a relationship with
2544-529: The Jatiya Party in 1986 and became a Member of Parliament for that party in the constituency of Rangpur-3 in 1991, with successful re-election in all subsequent general elections. He was the longest serving male head of government in Bangladeshi history. During his tenure, Ershad pursued devolution reforms, privatization of nationalised industries; the expansion of the national highway system; and
2650-1049: The Partition of India . Ershad studied in Carmichael College in Rangpur . He later graduated from the University of Dhaka in 1950. Ershad was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in 1952 from officers training school in Kohat . He was an adjutant in the East Bengal Regimental Centre , the regimental training depot in Chittagong . He completed advanced courses from the Command and Staff College in Quetta in 1966. After serving with
2756-650: The Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad will act as the president of Bangladesh until the president resumes office. This Article was used during the ascension of Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar as the acting president of the State following the resignation of former president A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury , and when President Zillur Rahman could not discharge his duties due to his illness, and later, death. Since Bangladesh
2862-603: The Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad , an oath or affirmation that he/she shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution as follows: I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of President of Bangladesh according to law: That I will bear true faith and allegiance to Bangladesh: That I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution: And that I will do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will" The president
2968-534: The Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled that President Ershad's original arrest in 1990 by the caretaker government, led by Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, was illegal. This ruling would have permitted Ershad to sue the government for wrongful arrest. Ershad was convicted on a separate and unrelated charge eleven years after this arrest. Ershad has been convicted and served time for only one case that has been upheld by
3074-855: The United States , there are three definitions of this term: In Imperial Russia , the Adjutant general ( Russian : Генерал-адъютант / General-adyutant ) was an assistant who attended the Tsar , a field marshal, admiral or a general. In India the Adjutant-General is the senior administration officer for the Indian Army and reports to the Chief of Army Staff . In Pakistan , the Adjutant-General and Judge Advocate General
3180-453: The first presidential election was held. Mohammad Mohammadullah , who replaced Mujib's successor Abu Sayeed Chowdhury as acting president upon the latter's resignation, was indirectly elected uncontested and sworn in as the ceremonial head of state . Mujib is widely considered the founder of Bangladesh and deemed as the "Father of the Nation" of the country. He is popularly referred with
3286-542: The president of the People's Republic of Bangladesh ( Bengali : গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি — Gaṇaprajātantrī Bangladesher Raṣhṭrôpôti ), is the head of state of Bangladesh and commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces . The role of the president has changed three times since Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971. Presidents had been given executive power . In 1991, with
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3392-532: The 1970 cyclone had not worn off, and the state's economy had immensely deteriorated by the conflict. Economically, Mujib's huge nationalization program and socialist planning caused the economy to suffer. By the end of the year, thousands of Bengalis arrived from Pakistan, and thousands of non-Bengalis migrated to Pakistan; and yet many thousands remained in refugee camps. Mujib forged a close friendship with Indira Gandhi, strongly praising India's decision to intercede, and professed admiration and friendship for India. In
3498-634: The AL which contested in the parliamentary election, later resigned from the parliament. In November 1986, Pope John Paul II visited Bangladesh. Ershad named Justice Minister A. K. M. Nurul Islam his vice-president in December. He replaced Minister of Home Affairs Mahmudal Hasan with M. A. Matin . He dismissed the Deputy Minister for Health and Family Planning and his sister-in-law, Mumta Wahab . Bangladesh saw violent protests in 1987 calling for
3604-672: The Army for the referendum seeking approval to stay in power till the next election. In July 1985, he increased the size of his cabinet to 21 ministers which included Kazi Zafar Ahmed and Sirakuul Hossain Khan . Ershad played a key role during the founding summit of the countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985, which was held in Dhaka . Member states of South Asian States agreed to cooperate in politics and economics. Ershad brought together
3710-543: The Awami League formed the government after a period of 21 years. Then, Ershad had joined the 4-Party alliance after the 1996 elections, but left later. On 8 April 2008, Ershad took charge of his Jatiya Party once again. On 19 November 2008, Jatiya Party and Awami League agreed to contest the elections jointly under the Caretaker Government to be held on 29 December 2008. Out of the 300 constituencies in
3816-501: The Awami League's Grand Alliance at Paltan Maidan with Sheikh Hasina. But Hasina later breached the agreement between the two which promised to make Ershad the President for at least six months. Moeen also committed to make him president before 11 January 2007, but did not. Earlier, Ershad had been offered the position of head of the Government in 1991 by Sheikh Hasina while he was in jail, as well as by Khaleda Zia in 1996 just before
3922-519: The BNP to victory in elections in 1982. Ershad came to power in a bloodless coup on 24 March 1982 as Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA). President Abdus Sattar was replaced with A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury . Ershad imitated his predecessor President Zia in many ways. Initially, he too installed a civilian president, Abul Fazal Muhammed Ahsanuddin Chowdhury (March 1982‐December 1983), and became
4028-790: The Bangladesh Armed Forces, which had struggled with a series of coups and countercoups since the nation achieved independence in 1971. These arose in part because of the division in the Army between those who had participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, and those who had been interned or voluntarily stayed in West Pakistan during the conflict. As those men were repatriated and the Armed Forces needed their participation, they were welcomed back, but complained of discrimination in favour of
4134-700: The Emperor of the Habsburg Monarchy . The emperor's first general aide had a captain or lieutenant as an officer. Traditionally, the Wing Adjutants did their regular service. From the various branches of the Imperial Army, diligent military personnel were selected and given to the Emperor for election. The adjutants were then assigned to the emperor in their two to three-year service, formed his constant accompaniment, regulated and monitored
4240-583: The Janata. It involved two charges – abuse of power in allotting land in Dhaka, which took place after Ershad colluded with M. M. Rahmat Ullah ; and possessing unaccounted money. The Justice in his 91-page verdict found Ershad guilty under the Prevention Act. Ershad was sentenced in corruption case on 20 November 2000. He was released on bail, on 9 April 2001 after serving four months in jail in Dhaka. As
4346-521: The Jatiya (People's) Party, formed on 1 January 1986 when the nationwide ban on political activity was lifted, and comprising the five parties which had together formed the pro-government National Front in July 1985 and the opposition leftist Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina . The largest political party of the second Parliament, BNP decided to boycott the poll. Election day was held in a climate of unrest and
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4452-607: The Muslim world as well as the Middle East . The present bulk overseas recruitment of Bangladeshi migrant workers to Middle Eastern countries are direct outcome of Zia's efforts those he put to develop a long-lasting relationship with the Muslim leadership of the world . The purpose of Middle East relations has been largely economical whereas the rapid improvement of relations with China was particularly made to for rapid advancement of
4558-443: The Parliament. In case of impeachment, the Parliament must bring specific charges against the president, and investigate it themselves, or refer it to any other body for investigation. The president will have the right to defend himself. Following the proceedings, the president is impeached immediately if two-thirds of the Parliament votes in favour, and the Speaker ascends to power. The principal Presidential residence at Bangabhaban
4664-414: The President only on 11 December 1983. He also floated a state‐sponsored political party, Jatiya Party (JP), composed of various factions from leftist and rightist political parties to support his regime. Like his predecessor, he allowed political parties to be active. Suspending the constitution and political parties, Ershad took over as president on 11 December 1983 by replacing Chowdhury. Ersahd ordered
4770-487: The Presidential Election of 1986, which was organised by his government. The only significant opposition candidates were Hafezzi Huzur and Syed Faruque Rahman , a retired colonel who had been accused in 15 August Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 3 November jail killing in 1975. Parliamentary elections on 7 May 1986 , held under the martial law. Main contenders for the parliamentary seats were
4876-584: The SC said in its brief verdict. Ershad, is the only high-profile politician to be convicted of corruption and serve a prison sentence. Legal complexities tend to prolong the investigation and settlement of the corruption cases against senior politicians in Bangladesh." We really don't know what will be the fate of these cases", lawyer Shahdeen Malik told the BBC. Ershad lost his membership in parliament owing to his conviction on charges of corruption when his relations with
4982-582: The Supreme Court of the nation – Janata Tower Case . When his relations with the ruling Awami League subsequently deteriorated as he joined hands with the other main opposition BNP of Khaleda Zia. He was found guilty in the Janata corruption case and was sentenced by the trial court to seven years imprisonment. Later the High Court Division affirmed the conviction but reduced the sentence to five years. The people were charged with building
5088-415: The aftermath of the 1974 Famine , there was growing dissatisfaction with his government. Irked by the heavy criticism from the opposition and news outlets and worried about the Awami League's prospects in the next election, on 28 December 1974 Mujib declared a state of emergency . The following month, he openly advocated to the view that parliamentarism has failed in the country and had the lawmakers amend
5194-488: The army who had been imprisoned or otherwise out of the country during the liberation war later tended to form different political alliances than those who had participated in the war. This long influenced the instability of national politics and the armed forces. Ershad was sent for advanced military courses to the National Defence University (NDU), India . On 15 August 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
5300-421: The constitution redefined the nature of the republic from the secularism laid out by Sheikh Mujib and his supporters. Islamic religious education was introduced as a compulsory subject in Bangladeshi schools, with provisions for non-Muslim students to learn of their own religions. In public speeches and policies that he formulated, Zia began expounding "Bangladeshi nationalism," as opposed to Mujib's assertion of
5406-506: The constitution to revive the presidential system in order to better manage emergencies in the country. After assuming the presidency again, Mujib criticized "free-style" liberal democracy and established an autocratic one-party state with the strongly socialist Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League as the national party and him as the unelected president and unopposed supreme leader for life. He banned all other political parties and activities while sharply curtailing freedom of speech and
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#17327661153145512-475: The controversial 1986 Bangladeshi presidential election . Despite claims to have legitimately won the 1986 election, many consider his regime as an era of military dictatorship. Ershad served in the Presidential office until 1990, when he was forced to resign following a popular pro-democracy mass uprising led by Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina . His government was a military dictatorship . Ershad founded
5618-441: The controversial Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz decisions on holding polls. In 2006, as the BNP's term was ending Ershad joined the party's 4-Party Alliance after meetings with Tarique and Babar, which were followed by meeting with Khaleda Zia at her Mainul Road House. However, in late October 2006, he said he was not in the 4-Party Alliance, reversing his position the following day. Then he went into hiding for 3 days and joined
5724-417: The country's armed forces. Throughout the study of Zia's international relations it could have been suggested that attention to the bigger neighbour India has been largely ignored. But Zia was found to put strong emphasis on regional co-operation particularly for South Asia . It came evident after Zia took initiative to found SAARC . Zia's dream of Bangladesh's involvement in a strong regional co-operation
5830-681: The country. A five-year plan released in 1973 focused state investments into agriculture, rural infrastructure and cottage industries. After Bangladesh achieved recognition from most countries, Mujib helped Bangladesh enter into the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. He travelled to the United States, the United Kingdom and other European nations to obtain humanitarian and developmental assistance for
5936-405: The daily program and audiences, and were responsible for the personal file run between the war ministry and the emperor. The service with Emperor Franz Joseph I began for the wing adjutants at three in the morning in full gear because the emperor got up very early. After the imperial breakfast, the adjutant reported to the emperor and presented current reports and the daily program. The service with
6042-404: The divestment of government industries promised to move the country away from socialism . In January 1985, he dissolved his council of ministers ahead of the general election. Bangladeshi lawyers went on work absentation to call for fair election and removal of Ershad. In March 1985, Ershad reimposed martial law on Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia were placed under house arrest. He deployed
6148-477: The election commission as of 2017. Ershad married Rowshan Ershad in 1956. The couple had a son and daughter - Saad Ershad and Jebin Ershad. Jebin lives in London with her husband and two children, Nico Ershad and Savi Ershad. Rowshan was elected five times as a Jatiya Sangsad member, nominated each time by the Jatiya party . Only in the 2008 election, did Ershad decided to join the Awami League-led alliance and Rowshan went with BNP. After his death, she became
6254-405: The election. After the 2014 election, Ershad became the special envoy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Awami League-led government. Jatiya Party became the opposition party and Rowshan Ershad , Ershad's wife, became the leader of the opposition. Despite being in the opposition party some leaders of Jatiya Party were also in the government cabinet. In January 2016, Ershad's brother, GM Quader ,
6360-423: The embassy of the Soviet Union to reduce their staff after the government allegedly saw embassy personnel with anti-government protestors. The police had detained two Soviet diplomats outside of Dhaka last year and Ershad had expressed fear of the Soviet Union. Ershad supported the Land Reforms Ordinance of 1984, which granted important rights to tenants for the first time in the history of Bangladesh. A plan for
6466-481: The emperor was considered very exhausting. Even today, the head of the House of Habsburg has an adjutant general to assist him with official appointments. For over 250 years the Adjutant-General to the Forces was one of the most senior officers in the British Army . He was responsible for developing the Army's personnel policies and supporting its people. Since 2016 the Adjutant-General has been renamed Commander Home Command with different responsibilities. In
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#17327661153146572-453: The fall of the BNP government in 1996. The Awami League in alliance with Jatiya Party won the June 1996 general election . Ershad approved the participation in 1988 of the Bangladesh Army in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations for the first time. In addition to contributing to multi-national initiatives, this enabled the Armed Forces to earn foreign currency. Their participation in other UN-sponsored actions has continued to contribute to
6678-417: The founding of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ; he committed his nation's forces as an ally to the United States in the Gulf War . He contributed to developments in infrastructure and socio-economic growth, divesting key nationalised industries. In 1989, Ershad pushed parliament to make Islam the state religion , in a sharp departure from Bangladesh's original secular constitution. Ershad
6784-454: The freedom fighters. The repatriated officers comprised 60% of the officers and a sizeable interest group. The freedom fighters, part of the development of Bangladesh from the beginning, tended to identify with the Awami League. The repatriated officers tended to identify with the BNP as the opposition. They carried out their rivalries in part through coups. The Bangladesh Armed Forces did not attempt any coups from Ershad's takeover in 1982 until
6890-630: The government banned protests outside of the parliament. Bangladesh sent two brigades to join the United States led coalition forces in the first Gulf War. The effective end of the Cold War unleashed democratic forces and dried up international support for military rule in Bangladesh. A wide umbrella of political parties united against Ershad. Khaleda Zia led the BNP, which allied with the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh . Student activists of various parties united in anti-regime street demonstrations. They were joined by labour unions and government workers. By late November 1990,
6996-564: The honorary title of Bangabandhu (বঙ্গবন্ধু "Friend of Bengal"). He introduced the state policy of Bangladesh according to four basic principles: nationalism, secularism, democracy and socialism. He nationalized hundreds of industries and companies as well as abandoned land and capital and initiated land reform aimed at helping millions of poor farmers. Major efforts were launched to rehabilitate an estimated 10 million refugees. He further outlined state programs to expand primary education, sanitation, food, healthcare, water and electric supply across
7102-449: The ideology and agenda of the 1st parliament of Bangladesh. He issued a proclamation order amending the constitution, replacing secularism with increasing the faith of the people in their creator, following the same tactics that was used in Pakistan during the Ayub Khan regime to establish a military rule over civilian democratic rule in the government system. In the preamble, he inserted the salutation " Bismillahir -Rahmaanir-Rahim" ( In
7208-455: The incumbent president of the country as chancellor of all state universities thus established. The Constitution of Bangladesh sets the principal qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the president. A person shall not be qualified for election as president if he- Certain conditions, as per Article 27 of the Constitution, debar any eligible citizen from contesting the presidential elections. The conditions are: Whenever
7314-401: The killing of the imprisoned Syed Nazrul Islam , Tajuddin Ahmed , Abul Hasnat Muhammad Qamaruzzaman and Mujib's new PM Muhammad Mansur Ali . With the ousting of Mostaq three days later and the constitutional requirement for the direct election of the president and role of the vice-president as acting president suspended by Mostaq, Chief Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem was appointed to
7420-468: The lack of Mujib loyalists in the military. He also proclaimed the Indemnity Ordinance , which granted immunity from prosecution to the assassins of Mujib. Yet only a few months later on 3 November, his regime faced a bloodless coup by pro-Mujib officers led by Brigadier General Khaled Mosharraf in an attempt to depose Mostaq and the military assassins backing his government. At night, presumably on Mostaq's orders, some army officers secretly carried out
7526-438: The latter government-in-exile (GiE) set up its headquarters at 8 Theatre Road, in Kolkata , India . The de jure president of the GiE and thus the first president of Bangladesh was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , who was the most popular leader of the independence struggle imprisoned shortly after the independence declaration, with vice-president and acting president being Syed Nazrul Islam and Tajuddin Ahmad as prime minister. As
7632-547: The leaders of India and Pakistan, Rajiv Gandhi and Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq , respectively. As president, Ershad approved amendments to the constitution of Bangladesh which declared Islam the state religion, abandoning state secularism . (The secular constitution was later restored.) To improve rural administration, Ershad introduced the Upazila and Zila Parishad system. He held the 'first democratic elections for these village councils' in 1985. Jatiyo Party nominated Ershad in
7738-420: The military rule of Ershad illegal in a verdict that also said the actions taken by his regime will remain effective until their fate is decided by parliament. "All proclamations, Martial Law Regulations, Martial Law Orders, made/promulgated during the period between 24 March 1982 and the date of commencement of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1986 (Act 1 of 1986) are hereby declared illegal and void....,"
7844-644: The name of Allah , the Beneficent, the Merciful ). In Article 8(1) and 8(1A) the statement "absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah" was added, replacing the commitment to secularism . Socialism was redefined as "economic and social justice." In Article 25(2), Zia introduced the principle that "the state shall endeavour to consolidate, preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic solidarity." Zia's edits to
7950-403: The nation. He signed a treaty of friendship with India, which pledged extensive economic and humanitarian assistance and began training Bangladesh's security forces and government personnel. Mujib's premiership however faced serious challenges, which included the rehabilitation of millions of people displaced in 1971, organizing the supply of food, health aids and other necessities. The effects of
8056-409: The office becomes vacant, the new president is chosen by members of Parliament . Although presidential elections involve actual voting by MPs , they tend to vote for the candidate supported by their respective parties. The president may be impeached and subsequently removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of the parliament. The president is required to make and subscribe in the presence of
8162-662: The parliament, Ershad's Jatiya Party contested from 49 (later 42 as Awami League did not pull back its candidates from few seats as agreed earlier) seats and Awami League and members of a leftist Fourteen Party Coalition from the rest 250 seats. At the last minute, Ershad supported the Awami League in the December 2008 election. Thus, the Grand Alliance emerged in Bangladesh. Ershad contested the Bangladesh Parliamentary Election 2008 from three constituencies. According to Bangladesh electoral laws,
8268-422: The people's mandate on various national issues. The polling date was originally set for 28 February before being postponed. In January 1988, the government banned all political rallies. 80 people died in violence related to local council elections in February. The University of Dhaka, which was the centre of opposition against Ershad, saw session jams and decline in academic activities due to the unrest. Polling day
8374-470: The political scene when restored to the post of Chief of Army Staff following the uprising. With the country in a dire situation and no stability and security, he was promoted from one of Sayem's deputies to CMLA in November 1976. With Zia's military loyalists now running the state from behind, initially as Deputy CMLA (DCMLA) he sought to invigorate government policy and administration. Hence on 21 April 1977, when Sayem retired on health grounds, without
8480-432: The presidency of what became a military interim government. However, the next day a popular uprising led by the retired lieutenant colonel Abu Taher ended in yet another coup with the deaths of several military generals, including Mosharraf. With Mosharraf dead, the office of Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) was taken by Sayem. Sayem dissolved the parliament and scheduled a general election in February 1977 in
8586-515: The presidency. Over the ensuing months, Ershad sought a formula for elections while dealing with potential threats to public order. On 1 January 1986, full political rights, including the right to hold large public rallies, were restored. At the same time, the Jatiyo (People's) Party (JP), designed as Ershad's political vehicle for the transition from martial law, was established. Ershad resigned as chief of army staff, retired from military service, and
8692-483: The president. Chancellor is a titular position at universities in Bangladesh, always held by the incumbent president of Bangladesh under the Private Universities Act 1992. The position in public universities is not fixed for the president under any acts or laws (since the erection of a state university in Bangladesh requires an act to be passed in itself), but it has been the custom so far to name
8798-601: The press. However, these changes were remarked as the "Second Revolution" by Mujib. In bringing together all politicians under a single national party apparently for the sake of unity of the country during a critical period it struck a similarity to Abraham Lincoln's National Union Party during the height of the American Civil War . The new party obliged all members of parliament, government and semi-autonomous associations and bodies to join, as well as intimidated and violently punished or eliminated opposition to
8904-573: The regime using the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini , the paramilitary "national defence force" and the ruling party's armed wing. Soon after, some close associates of Mujibur Rahman, who were ministers and secretaries, joined an assassination plot by the Bangladesh Army . On 15 August 1975, Mujib was assassinated in a coup d'état by some mid-ranking army officers, and replaced by one of his long time associates and cabinet members who
9010-420: The resignation of Ershad. In July, eight people died in 54-hour general strike and hundreds were injured. The protest started against a new law that would allow the military to have role in local development which was opposed by the leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina. In October, security forces detained more than 4300 opposition activists. In November, Ershad banned marches in Dhaka. On 28 November, he declared
9116-656: The rest. On 27 March, a new Council of Ministers headed by Ershad was sworn in. The Prime Minister is Moudud Ahmed. In June 1988, Ershad led the parliament in making Islam the State Religion of Bangladesh. He dissolved the Election Reforms Commission after its chairman Justice Badrul Haider Chowdhury criticized the government. Bangladesh saw nationwide floods which killed more than 121 people. More than 680 died in Monsoon floods. In January 1990,
9222-473: The restoration of a democratically elected government, Bangladesh adopted a parliamentary democracy based on a Westminster system . The President is now a largely ceremonial post elected by the Parliament. In 1996, Parliament passed new laws enhancing the president's executive authority, as laid down in the constitution, after the Parliament is dissolved. The president resides at the Bangabhaban , which
9328-799: The ruling Awami League subsequently deteriorated. He switched his support to his one-time political adversary and main opposition leader, Khaleda Zia forming an anti-government coalition. Thus, the questionable court verdict followed. Both Khaleda Zia of BNP and Sheikh Hasina of Awami League allied together to oust Ershad. Ironically both of these two top parties also allied with him and his Jatiya Party in time of their need to suit their purpose. Ershad called President Iajuddin Ahmed three times along with Kazi Zafar Ahmed twice on 23 December not to extend two days time for filing nominations for scheduled 22 January 2007 elections when Awami League and its allies decided to join that elections after long parley of Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury with Sheikh Hasina. However, for
9434-592: The sake of continuation of democratic process Chowdhury convinced all concerned that without both Awami League and BNP the election will not be credible. On 30 June 2007, Ershad stepped down temporarily from the post of Party chairman, indicating an end to his political career. It is speculated that he stepped down under pressure as the Caretaker Government started a series of prosecution and arrest for corruption and criminal charges against political leaders of Awami League and BNP including Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia and Zia's son Tareq Rahman among others. On 1 March 1998,
9540-495: The senior co-chairman of the Jatiya party. Ershad later married Bidisha Siddique in 2000. It ended in a divorce and sedition charges brought by the then BNP Government against her in 2005. He divorced her for allegedly hiding her first marriage, which still was not annulled at the time of their marriage. Together they had a son, Eric Ershad. President of Bangladesh The president of Bangladesh ( Bengali : বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি — Bangladesher Raṣhṭrôpôti ), officially
9646-511: The then President Ershad on 3 July 1985 to implement the project. For mobilisation of domestic resources, another ordinance was promulgated by which a Jamuna Bridge surcharge and levy were introduced. A total of Tk 5.08 billion was mobilised in the process till its abolition. Ershad was awarded the United Nations' Population Award in 1987 for his contributions to population and environmental issues. On 15 May 2011, Supreme Court declared
9752-417: The treasury. Ershad accelerated the privatisation of state owned enterprises which had begun in 1975 and encouraged private and foreign investment through his 'New Industrial Policy'. The boom in exports in the garment industry also continued under his rule, employing large numbers of women albeit in harsh conditions. The Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge Authority (JMBA) was set up by an ordinance promulgated by
9858-625: The uprising shut down government services and paralysed the major cities. In a bid to subdue the opposition, Ershad attempted to declare martial law, but Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Nuruddin Khan refused to support him. Ultimately Ershad was forced to step down on 6 December 1990. Lieutenant General Mohammad Noor Uddin Khan removed officers loyal to Ershad. Ershad appointed Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed to form an acceptable neutral caretaker government and prepare for democratic elections. This
9964-464: Was an innovation that was not provided for in the constitution . Shahabuddin immediately placed Ershad under arrest and detained him, an action declared illegal in 1998 in a case appealed to the nation's Supreme Court . In 1996, the newly elected government of the Awami League selected Shahabuddin as the President and appointed Lt Gen Nuruddin Khan as the Energy Minister. After a period, he
10070-407: Was appointed Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army by President of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , the first president of independent Bangladesh. The different experiences during the war of the professional and paramilitary officers and soldiers in Bangladesh, together with the country's diverse cultures and Muslim majority, created instabilities in the years after independence. The members of
10176-626: Was appointed Army Chief by President of Bangladesh Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad . Rahman appointed Ershad as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff in 1975. Ziaur Rahman assumed the presidency after legalising the military coups. He revived the multi-party system through the Fifth Amendment of the Bangladesh Constitution. He appointed Ershad as the new Chief of Army Staff , promoting him to the rank of lieutenant general. Viewed as
10282-528: Was assassinated . Although Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman was arrested in a counter-coup on 3 November 1975, he was restored to power in a coup led by Lt. Colonel Abu Taher on 7 November 1975 . The Chief Justice of Bangladesh , Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem , succeeded to the presidency on 7 November 1975 during martial law. At that time, Zia Rahman was appointed as the Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator . General Ziaur Rahman
10388-684: Was born in 1930 at Dinhata in Cooch Behar Princely State , British India (now in Cooch Behar district , India) to Mokbul Hossain and Mazida Khatun, in a Bengali-speaking Nashya Shaikh family. Mokbul was a lawyer who served as a minister of the then Maharaja of Cooch Behar and was the son of Wakil Saadatullah. Ershad was the eldest of nine siblings including GM Quader , Mozammel Hossain Lalu and Merina Rahman . His parents migrated from Dinhata to East Bengal in 1948 after
10494-427: Was boycotted by 119 opposition and independent MPs. The same day, a new cabinet was sworn in. Ershad was elected as president on 15 October 1986. The inauguration saw widespread violence and protests against the government. However, Ershad faced increasing mass demonstrations on the streets mobilised by both the AL led by Sheikh Hasina and the BNP led by Khaleda Zia. The BNP boycotted the 1986 parliamentary election, but
10600-448: Was demoted to minister without portfolio for gross mismanagement. Although anti-Ershad sentiment was strong, Ershad contested the 1996 election from jail and still won all five different constituencies he had contested from in 1991. The new government led by the BNP's Khaleda Zia instituted a number of corruption charges. Ershad was convicted in two charges till date, while all others were dismissed and thrown out of court. Ershad stabilized
10706-461: Was elected president in October 1986. (Both the BNP and the AL refused to put up an opposing candidate.) In July 1987, the opposition parties united for the first time in opposition to government policies. Ershad declared a state of emergency in November, dissolved parliament in December, and scheduled new parliamentary elections for March 1988. Adjutant General In Revolutionary France ,
10812-474: Was in a bitter bureaucratic rivalry with his loyalists, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad . Immediately after, martial law was promulgated in the country. As soon as he assumed presidency, along with replacing the national slogan of Joy Bangla ("Hail Bengal"), a cry of Bengali nationalism with Bangladesh Zindabad ("Love Live Bangladesh") calling for Bangladeshi nationalism instead, Mostaq replaced all three armed forces chiefs with next in line seniors to likely ensure
10918-473: Was made the vice chairman of the party. In April 2016, Ershad appointed Rowshan as the vice-chairman of the party. In March 2017, Ershad indicated he might form a new political alliance with 14 other parties. For the next general election, the Jatiya Party under Ershad formed a 58 party grand alliance of its own. But of the 58 parties, only the Jatiya Party and Bangladesh Islami Front had registration with
11024-421: Was marked by opposition charges of voting fraud and malpractices. On 10 May, polling was suspended in 109 constituencies. Following re-elections in 37 constituencies on 19 May, final results giving JP an absolute parliamentary majority were announced ten days later. Ershad's JP was declared the winner with 153 seats out of 300. There were 115 opposition and 32 independent members. However, the inaugural House session
11130-529: Was marked by violence and a boycott by the three leading opposition groups - the Awami League (an eight-party alliance) headed by Sheikha Hasina Wajed, the Moslem Jammai-i-Islami and the right-wing BNP, all of which alleged electoral fraud. In this context, the ruling Jatiya Dal, or Nationalist Party, reportedly increased its parliamentary majority to 251 seats (including 18 unopposed), independents captured 25 seats and several minor parties shared
11236-438: Was met after 4 years of his assassination when SAARC got founded on 8 December 1985 with a key role of the then Bangladeshi authority. Assassination of Ziaur Rahman In 1981, Zia was assassinated by fractions of the military who were dissatisfied with his non-conventional means of running many state affairs including the military. Vice-President Justice Abdus Sattar was constitutionally sworn in as acting president. He declared
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