It's not mandatory for English media: HC

The High Court, which had ordered steps to ensure use of Bangla in advertisements, today moderated the directive allowing English newspapers to publish advertisements in English.

The court on February 17 directed the government to take necessary measures in a month to ensure the use of Bangla in all advertisements of electronic and print media.

At today’s hearing, the HC came up with the modified order while Deputy Attorney General Biswajit Roy brought the issue before the court.

The HC bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain extended the time till May 15 for the government to submit a report in compliance with the February 17 order.

The court will seek explanation from the secretary concerned if the report is not submitted timely.

In response to a writ petition, the HC in its earlier order had also asked the government to take steps to ensure the use of Bangla on the nameplates of vehicle registration, signboards and billboards across the country.

Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond filed the petition as public interest litigation on February 16, seeking an order on the government to issue a circular asking the officials concerned to use Bangla as official language.