What is happening for the last couple of days at the court premises countrywide woeful for any rational citizen. If one scan on any national daily, one could easily find pro-opposition and pro-government layers in fighting. Here law masters are violating law. However, the deadlock has emerged regarding implementation of the six point demands by the Supreme Court Bar Association and one of those demands was lawyers' exemption from submitting income-tax return. Now the question is it a rational demand?
I have been trying for the last few days to understand the logics behind the point. In this regard, I discussed the matter with some lawyers too. But finally I failed to sort out any logic behind the demand. Rather, I have two arguments: (I) Pro-opposition lawyers said that the Act regarding submission of income-tax return for the lawyers would create unwanted trouble for the newly practicing lawyers. Is it a troublesome job to submit income-tax return? (ii)Another crucial logic given them is that the Act violated Article 27 of our Constitution, which says: "All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law" as, if law is equal to all then why should only lawyers submit income-tax return and why day laborers, rickshaw pullers, drivers, garments workers, nurses need not to submit their income tax return. However, for their kind consideration I would like to point that our Constitution never ignores the reality of social stratification. So, here "equality" means equality considering existing social stratification.
Md. Mahbubur Rahman
Student, Department of Political Science,
Dhaka University

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We are extremely frustrated to witness one of the most unfortunate episode of violent behaviour within the sacred premises of the District and Session Judges Court on August 6. Behaving absolutely unbecoming of their profession. The practitioners of law took resort to violence and got into scuffle violating the law . Not just physical confrontation resulting into injuries, some lawyers even went to the extreme of breaking the door of the courtroom.
The sharp political division between the lawyers has largely contributed to this sordid display of disrespect for each other. No one expects such confrontational attitude from the lawyers simply because they are in a profession which is not only highly respected but also the last resort for many who seek justice. They are supposed to form the conscience of the nation guiding it in the right direction. Unfortunately, they themselves are misguided now. They have been trapped into the filthy terrain of politics forgetting dignity of their profession. They have begun to toe the political parties jeopardising the judicial system and victimising thousands of people who are seeking justice. They have tarnished the sacred image of the judiciary and done a great harm to it.
Why are the lawyers toeing the political parties reducing their own status and causing grievous wounds to the judiciary? Why can't they all stand jointly for a legitimate issue such as ensuring the independence the judiciary which is most important for ensuring free and fair justice? Why can't they even stand on one platform for safeguarding their own interest?
We wish conscience prevail upon them.
Md. Rezaul Karim,
LL.B. (Hons) 3rd Year, Dhaka University.

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What is the importance of this verdict?

At last killers of innocent Nousin has been convicted to life term imprisonment. The crime committed was so heinous that people of all over the country raised their voice for punishment of the culprits. It was desired that the verdict of this case would act as deterrent for the other criminals. So the whole society was eagerly waiting for the verdict. The murder of Nousin was so cruel that only death could be a satisfactory punishment for the accused, not life imprisonment. We hope that when this case will go to the higher court , the respectable judges will seriously consider the demand of the society and give verdict consolidating the justice.
Shahrin Shahjahan Naomi,
L.L.B(First Year), Dhaka University.

*****

Keep Bar Council
exams fair

The written test for enrolment of Advocates usually holds each year through the Bangladesh Bar Council. We attended the last written examination. But we were then surprised witnessing the massive practices of copying and nepotism of invigilators. Most of the candidates frequently copied the books brought with them over the whole hour of exam. Some Advocates, college teachers came to the hall and introduced their relative with the concerned invigilators. Then the candidates were helped to copy books . They randomly went to the toilet, brought books and copied in their answer sheet. Some advocates also assisted them.
Next enrolment exam is going to be held on 22 August 2003. We expect strong monitoring by Bangladesh Bar Council during the exam hour. To give any opportunity of malpractice would be seriously detrimental to the legal profession and for the nation as well. We should always keep it in our mind that 'justice can often be done better by a layman than by a bad lawyer'. So there should be no chance of entrance of such candidates who will certainly be worst lawyers to the Bar. Otherwise everyone involved with this will be responsible.
M. Humaun Kabir (Pallab),
LL.M student, Dhaka University.