Did Chief Justice forget judicial independence upon taking office, questions Amir Khasru
BNP and its associate bodies have taken up various programmes, including rallies and discussions across the country, to mark the 45th founding anniversary of the party.
In response to the outgoing Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique's call to keep the judiciary's free from politics, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury questioned the timing of advocating such principles as one departs from office.
"Did he forget this principle when he first assumed office and only remembered it as he was leaving? All injustices will be subjected to trials," said Khasru while addressing a brief rally in front of the party office in Nayapaltan on Friday (1 September) ahead of a procession set out to celebrate BNP's 45th founding anniversary.
During a farewell event marking his final working day, the Chief Justice stressed the importance of safeguarding the judiciary from external influence, stating, "Without freedom from interference, the judiciary cannot function independently."
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Another BNP Standing Committee Member, Dr Moin Khan, asserted, "No autocrat could sustain power through anarchy and repression, and neither would the Awami League government."
Nazrul Islam Khan, another standing committee member, said, "Ziaur Rahman formed the BNP with the aim of advancing Bangladesh's prosperity. He saved the nation from famine and achieved self-sufficiency in food production. Yet today, he is met with disrespect."
Critiquing the Prime Minister's advocacy for boiling and refrigerating eggs, he remarked, "While those with financial means can store boiled eggs in the fridge, what about those who are less fortunate? How can they afford to do the same?"
BNP leaders and activists gathered at Nayapaltan in processions while chanting slogans and holding festoons and banners to celebrate the occasion.
Meanwhile, law enforcement forces have been deployed to handle any untoward situations.
On 1 September 1978, the late President Ziaur Rahman founded the party with a 19-point programme to establish a self-reliant Bangladesh.
BNP and its affiliated bodies have organised various programmes, including rallies and discussions across the country, to mark this day.
Earlier in the day, party members paid floral tributes at Ziaur Rahman's grave.
Around 11 o'clock today, leaders and activists at all levels, including the party's policymakers, paid their respects at Ziaur Rahman's grave in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.
BNP Standing Committee members Abdul Moin Khan, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Vice Chairmen Shahjahan Omar Bir Uttam, Ahmed Azam Khan, Senior Joint Secretary-General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Advisor to Chairperson Aman Ullah Aman, and Abdus Salam were among those present. A large number of leaders and activists from BNP and various affiliated organizations gathered there since the morning.
In its 44-year journey, BNP has been in power four times and in the opposition twice. BNP has been out of power for nearly 16 years since the military-backed caretaker government took control on 11 January 2007.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in separate messages, congratulated the people of the country, party leaders, workers, activists, and well-wishers on this occasion.
