Psymhe Wadud

Psymhe Wadud teaches law at the University of Dhaka and is in charge of Law Desk at The Daily Star.

A ‘new constitution’ and my discontents

Constitution-making is invariably an “elitist” chore, as scholars rightly call it “equitable elite bargaining.”

3d ago

Cyber Protection Ordinance and our flawed law-making logic

The Cyber Ordinance Ordinance has to be judged on its own merit and based only on its seemingly “better” provisions.

3m ago

A ‘new’ constitution and our obsession with texts

Our parliament, on the other hand, drafted a self-defeating provision, Article 7B, by declaring one-third of the text of the constitution as unamendable through the usual constitutional amendment process.

5m ago

Renegotiating the language of authority and power

Perhaps, in both catering to and exploiting such complexities, the language of authority in Bangladesh has been of compulsion, uncritical submission, and exertion of force.

7m ago

How to get out of the constitutional gridlock?

The “interim” government will have to operate beyond the constitutional scheme as the current one does not endorse an interim

8m ago

The (reformed) quota scheme, our state, and the marginalised

History shows how the “woman question”, “indigenous question”, “transgender question”, and “disabled question” get subsumed in the midst of dominant voices

8m ago

The constitutionality of building kitchen markets over bulldozed homes

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) recently went on to evict 87 families in the Miranzilla sweeper colony.

9m ago

Student protests in the US: Reclaiming the flames of human rights

The protests against US policies staunchly supporting Israel give us purpose and meaning in the face of adversities.

11m ago
December 4, 2023
December 4, 2023

One Hochemin Islam, our constitution, and ‘cisterhood’

The decision against bringing in Hochemin Islam was disproportionate to meeting the goal (that is, of ensuring her safety) sought to be achieved.

January 16, 2023
January 16, 2023

Refreshing inclusion of gender diversity and sensitivity in trial textbook

Learning about gender rights, intersectionality and equality is an important part of education

June 22, 2021
June 22, 2021

COVID-19 and the dilemma between life and livelihood

India’s official record on COVID-19 human toll is more than a staggering 3,80,000 now, which, according to experts, might be far below the actual number.

August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020

August 15: A case against the doctrine of revolutionary legality

Upon the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, on August 15, 1975, the office of the President of Bangladesh was seized and eventually, the government powers were assumed by the usurpers.

July 14, 2020
July 14, 2020

Sketching out the shades of discrimination laws: Colourism in context

The Black Lives Matter campaign inspired informed debates and discussions on racism and colourism across the world. In this backdrop, several notable beauty conglomerates recently decided to remove words like ‘white/whitening’ and fair/fairness from their products’ packs and communication with a view to evolving their skin care portfolio to a more inclusive vision of beauty.

September 3, 2019
September 3, 2019

Maze of belief-disbelief: Corroboration in rape cases

Corroboration rule in rape cases has mostly evolved in the sub-continent including in Bangladesh as a rule of prudence as opposed to one of law. It implies that the solitary evidence of the alleged victim cannot be accepted as sufficient, rather it requires corroboration

June 4, 2019
June 4, 2019

Determining the extent of right to safe environment

From the perspective of judicial enforcement, environmental rights can be divided into two kinds - substantive and procedural. A

January 1, 2019
January 1, 2019

REFLECTING BACK TO THE ACTS OF PARLIAMENT

A total of 61 laws has been passed last year by the Jatiyo Sangsad (National Parliament) in Bangladesh regulating different sectors such

October 9, 2018
October 9, 2018

'Good guy versus bad girl' syndrome

In Bangladesh, the standard of proof in prosecution of crimes is beyond-every-reasonable-doubt. And any contradiction(s) within the entire fabric of the case can weaken the prosecution by casting doubt on the story propounded thereby.

May 15, 2018
May 15, 2018

AN ASPECT OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Article 39 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and expression. Freedom of expression ranges from the