Debate Over CJ: Vested quarter out to create tension

A vested quarter within the government is active to create communal division and tension as well as encourage discrimination using the issue of Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Bangladesh Hindu-Boudhha -Christian Oikya Parishad alleged yesterday.

The Parishad also requested the prime minister to investigate if anyone was hatching any such conspiracy to create instability in the country cashing in on the debate centring on the chief justice, who is on a month's leave since October 3.

Leaders of the platform of minority communities made the allegations and the appeal at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity where Parishad General Secretary Rana Dasgupta delivered a written speech.

Justice Sinha came under fire from top ministers and ruling Awami League leaders over the 16th amendment verdict that scrapped parliament's power to sack SC judges.

The government said he took the leave due to illness but the BNP alleged the CJ was forced to go on leave, a claim the law minister and the attorney general dismissed as false.

Rana Dasgupta, also a prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, said that by appointing Justice Sinha as chief justice, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina demonstrated her foresightedness and wisdom, and also sent a signal that she was all for creating a non-communal political atmosphere.

However, it is unfortunate but true that Olama League, which claims to be affiliated with the AL, formed a human chain protesting the appointment of Justice Sinha, Rana said.

The Olama League said they could not accept a “Hindu chief justice in a Muslim country,” he added.

After the SC verdict in the 16th amendment case, some ministers and ruling party as well as alliance leaders launched a verbal attack on the CJ, which reflects the speech by the Olama League, Rana said.

Parishad President Hubert Gomez presided over the press conference which was attended by, among others, Pankanj Bhattacharya, Shanjeeb Drong, Prof Nim Chandra Bhowmick, Subrata Chowdhury and Kajal Debnath.