The US Constitution Day has been celebrated today, September 17, 2026, at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building Auditorium. The event was jointly organized by the Faculty of Law of Dhaka University and the Embassy of the United States of America in Dhaka.

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman attended the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen addressed the program as the Guest of Honor, while DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Abdus Salam attended it as the Special Guest. Dean of the Faculty of Law of DU Professor Dr. Mohammad Ekramul Haque chaired the program.

In his speech, DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Abdus Salam said that the Constitution of the United States is an important document in modern constitutional history. Principles such as separation of powers, checks and balances, rule of law, and protection of fundamental rights are among the significant features of the US Constitution. These principles have had a significant influence on constitutional thought and practice around the world.

He said Bangladesh also has a long constitutional experience and tradition. The Constitution of Bangladesh emphasizes democracy, human rights, fundamental rights, rule of law, and limitations on state power. The country’s constitutional framework has evolved through its own history, Liberation War, and aspirations of its people. Therefore, dialogue and comparative discussion between the constitutional experiences of Bangladesh and the United States are highly significant.

Professor Dr. Abdus Salam further said that the Constitution is not merely an abstract academic subject; rather, it is a living institutional practice. It is important to provide law students with opportunities to understand constitutional principles through practical experience and institutional engagement. He expressed hope that such programs would contribute to meaningful discussions on the constitutional experiences of Bangladesh and the United States.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen said the US Constitution begins with the simple yet profound phrase, “We the People.” He said representatives gathered in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 to draft the Constitution of the United States. Despite disagreements and debates on various issues, they established a constitutional system based on separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent any single individual or institution from exercising absolute power.

The Ambassador said the United States observes Constitution Day every year on September 17. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s constitutional heritage and democratic values. The US Constitution has been amended at different times, allowing its constitutional system to evolve in response to changing circumstances.

He said constitutional governance, rule of law, and people’s participation are not issues specific to any particular country; rather, they are important for societies seeking to govern themselves. Referring to Bangladesh’s constitutional development, he said that after independence, Bangladesh went through an important process of building a constitutional framework for a new state. Issues such as separation of powers, judicial independence, religious freedom, and building long-term consensus among different communities have also been important constitutional questions in Bangladesh.

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, in his speech, highlighted the historical significance of the US Constitution and said that it institutionalized important principles of democracy, freedom, and rule of law. Various constitutional principles and ideas have subsequently influenced the constitutional frameworks and legal systems of other countries.

He said comparative discussions could be held on various aspects of the constitutions of Bangladesh and the United States. In particular, judicial review, separation of powers, fundamental rights, and constitutional limitations on state power are important areas of constitutional studies. Such discussions would help students, lawyers, researchers, and relevant professionals gain a deeper understanding of constitutional principles.

The Law Minister emphasized that academic discussions of this nature can play an important role in raising public awareness about the Constitution and constitutional rights. He also stressed the importance of sharing experiences between Bangladesh and the United States in the fields of law, democracy, and constitutional practice.

Following the inaugural session, a panel discussion on the US Constitution was held. The panel discussed the constitutional systems of Bangladesh and the United States, separation of powers, judicial independence, constitutional rights, and comparative aspects of the constitutional experiences of the two countries. Teachers, lawyers, researchers, and students participated in the discussion.

Teachers from different faculties of Dhaka University, lawyers, researchers, students, representatives from the legal and judicial sectors, and other relevant individuals attended the program.

17/09/2026

Forrukh Mahmud
Deputy Director
Public Relations Office
University of Dhaka.