The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Sunday decided that government would execute the High Court verdict on 15th August, the day when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated way back in 1975.

In its recent ruling upon a writ petition, the High Court declared illegal the government decision taken in 2002 canceling August 15 as national mourning day and the hoisting of national flag half-mast on the day at government and non-government offices and establishments and at Bangladesh's missions abroad.

A regular weekly meeting of the council of advisers with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin

Ahmed in the chair took the crucial decision to go by the High Court verdict.

On July 27, a two-member HC Division Bench of Justice MA Rashid and Justice M Ashfaqul Islam delivered the judgment following a public-interest litigation writ petition, scrapping the impugned decision of the immediate-past BNP-led coalition government taken on July 28, 2002.

The HC rulings also set aside the changes made to the Flag Rules 1972 prohibiting the hoisting of national flag half-mast to pay respects to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The HC in its ruling observed that the alliance government's decisions were in violation of state decisions. The grounds on which the alliance government cancelled observance of National Mourning Day and a public holiday on August 15 were also not factually correct, it held.

In cancelling August 15 as National Mourning Day and a public holiday, the BNP-led government had argued that previously the day had neither been fixed nor been observed as such.

On August 8, 1996, the Awami League government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared August 15 as National Mourning Day and public holiday.

Following the Awami League government's decision, August 15 used to be observed with due respect at state level with the national flag flying at half-mast all over the country and at Bangladesh missions abroad.

The country's founding father was assassinated on August 15, 1975 along with most members of his family by a group of in-service and sacked army personnel in a putsch.

The council-of-advisers meeting also approved timetable for government offices for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, as placed by the Establishment Ministry.

As per the timings, government offices will run from 9 am to 3:30 pm from Sunday to Thursday with Johr prayer break from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm. Fridays and Saturdays will remain as government weekly holidays. The Supreme Court will fix the timetable for all the courts while other sectors their own.

Transacting another important business, the meeting also approved in principle the Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 and the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2008.

The two laws govern elections and functions of the local-government bodies. The amendments came a week after the August 4 election to four city corporations and nine municipalities as what was dubbed a "test case".

It also finally approved the Information and Communication Technology (Amendment) Act 2006.

After elaborate discussion on Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 1898, the meeting asked for resubmitting it after further examination by the Law Ministry.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the outcome of the meeting.

Members of the Advisory Council attended the meeting at the CA's office. Cabinet Secretary, CA's Press Secretary and Secretaries concerned were also present.