Concern over observations

Thirty two eminent citizens yesterday expressed concern over the unexpected debate following “some irrelevant and uncalled for observations” made in the Supreme Court verdict of 16th amendment case.

In a press release signed by Md Moniruzzaman, general secretary of Charu Shilpi Sangsad, they said that an indirect threat has also been issued to the legal and democratic government from the highest level of the judiciary.

“This concerns us,” said the statement signed by, among others, Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Prof Muntasir Mamun and Ramendu Majumdar

They said they were observing that an ill attempt was on to create an impasse by creating a division between the executive and the judiciary centring on the verdict. 

It seems that some political quarters are overenthusiastic about the issue. Apparently, an ill attempt is underway to create political crises in the country in a planned way, the statement reads.

What is more concerning is that some people are adding fuel to this attempt to create crises by issuing statements.

“Against this backdrop, we, the signatories, are tense and concerned,” it said.

The statement came just two days after twenty-five eminent citizens on Sunday urged all quarters to refrain from making comments that demean the apex court.

On August 1, the SC released the full text of its verdict that scrapped the 16th amendment to the constitution. The amendment had given parliament the power to remove the apex court's judges for misconduct and incapacity.

Several Awami League leaders, including its president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, strongly criticised the verdict and Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha for his observations in the judgment. Some of them even demanded removal of the chief justice.

On the other hand, the BNP welcomed the verdict and sharply criticised the government and AL leaders for rebuking the chief justice.

Other signatories of the statement are Dr Anupam Sen, Dr Harun-or-Rashid, Prof Abdul Mannan Chowdhury, Prof Dr Nim Chandra Bhowmik, Dr Pran Gopal Dutta, Prof Dr Syed Anwar Hossain, journalist Abed Khan, Dr Anwar Hossain, Dr Mijanur Rahman, journalist Rahat Khan, journalist Golam Sarwar, Ataur Rahman, Shahriar Kabir, former ambassador Muhammad Zamir, ex-ambassador Waliur Rahman, Prof Dr Durga Das Bhattacharya, Dr Atiur Rahman, Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu, artist Hashem Khan, artist Rafiqun Nabi, actor Faruk, actor MA Alamgir, Prof Niser Hossain, Prof Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, journalist Shafiqur Rahman, journalist Farida Yesmin, artist Md Moniruzzaman, Prof Panna Kaiser and cultural activist Golam Quddus.