The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday stayed a High Court verdict that declared "Joy Bangla" as the country's national slogan.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order following a leave to appeal petition filed by the interim government challenging the HC judgement.

"'Joy Bangla' will not be considered as the national slogan following this Appellate Division order," said Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque, who appeared for the government during yesterday's hearing.

Read more

‘Joy Bangla’ national slogan: High Court

The apex court passed the order on the ground that the national slogan is a matter of the government's policy decision and the judiciary cannot interfere in this issue, he added.

Last month, the government filed the leave to appeal petition with the SC seeking stay on the HC verdict that on March 10, 2020, declared "Joy Bangla" as the country's national slogan and ordered the government to take necessary steps so that the slogan is used at all state functions and academic institutions' assemblies.

On December 1 this year, the apex court stayed another HC verdict that justified August 15 as the national mourning day and public holiday.

The full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order following a leave to appeal petition filed by the government challenging the HC judgement.

On August 13 this year, the advisory council of the interim government took the decision that there would be no national holiday on August 15.