Why kazi’s daughters can’t be kazis

The High Court yesterday issued a rule questioning a discriminatory provision regarding the appointment of marriage registrars.

According to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Rules, 2009, only the sons of marriage registrars, polpularly known as kazi, can be appointed as a Kazi on priority basis after the death of their father.

In the rule, the HC asked the government to explain in two weeks why this provision should not be declared unconstitutional and not be scrapped for discriminating the daughters of registrars.

Secretaries to the law and public administration ministries are respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Maniruzaaman issued the rule following a writ petition filed by six rights organisations including Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust and Ain O Salish Kendra.

The organisations mentioned in the petition that the provision in the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Rules, 2009, is discriminatory and contradictory to the constitution.

Lawyers ZI Khan Panna, Sara Hossain, Sharmin Akhter and Shahinuzzaman appeared for the petitioners while Deputy Attorney General Samarendranath Biswas represented the state during the virtual hearing of the petition yesterday.