16th amendment verdict: 32 eminent citizens ‘concerned over unexpected debate’

Thirty two eminent citizens today expressed concern over the unexpected debate following observations made in the Supreme Court verdict on the 16th amendment to the constitution.

In a press release signed by Md Moniruzzaman, general secretary of Charu Shilpi Sangsad, the eminent personalities said an ill attempt is on to create an impasse by creating division between executive and judiciary in very tactical way centring the verdict.

"It seems that some political quarters are expressing enthusiasm over the issue. This also seems that an ill attempt is going on to create political crises in the country in a much-planned way," the statement reads.

They also said the indirect threat has been issued to a legal and democratic government from the highest position of the judiciary.

"For this, we are concern," the statement reads.

The thirty two signatories of the statement are: Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Dr Anupam Sen, Professor Muntasir Mamun, Dr Harun-or-Rashid, Professor Abdul Mannan Chowdhury, Ramendu Majumdar, Prof Dr Nim Chandra Bhowmik, Dr Pran Gopal Dutta, Prof Dr Syed Anwar Hossain, journalist Abed Khan, Dr Anwar Hossain, Dr Mijanur Rahman, journalist Rahat Khan, journalist Golam Sarwar, Ataur Rahman, Shahriar Kabir, former ambassador Muhammad Zamir, ex-ambassador Waliur Rahman, Prof Dr Durga Das Bhattacharya, Dr Atiur Rahman, Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu, artist Hashem Khan, artist Rafiqun Nabi, artist Faruk, Ma Alamgir, professor Niser Hossain, professor Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, journalist Shafiqur Rahman, journalist Farida Yesmin, artist Md Moniruzzaman, Professor Panna Kaiser and cultural activist Golam Quddus.

The statement came just two days after twenty-five eminent citizens on Sunday urging all quarters to refrain from making comments that demean the apex court, considering people's overall interest.

On August 1, the SC released the full text of its verdict that scrapped the 16th amendment to the constitution. The amendment had given parliament the power to remove the apex court's judges for misconduct or incapacity.

Several Awami League leaders, including its president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, strongly criticised the verdict and Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha for his observations in the judgement. Some of them even demanded removal of the chief justice.

On the other hand, the BNP welcomed the verdict and sharply criticised the government and AL leaders for rebuking the chief justice centring the judgment.