Writ Seeks Declaring Interim Govt As 'Revolutionary'

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court requesting the advisory council to declare the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus as a “revolutionary government” following the July revolution. The petition also seeks to declare the government's failure to publish a gazette as illegal.

Additionally, the petition requests an order to publish a gazette honoring the victims of the July revolution as “freedom fighters”.

The writ was submitted by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister ASM Shahriar Kabir, as reported on Friday (October 25). The respondents in the writ include the Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, the Secretary of the Law Ministry, and the personal secretary to the legal advisor.

The High Court bench, consisting of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury, is expected to hear the petition on Sunday (October 27).

Barrister Shahriar Kabir stated that since the revolution on August 5, the current government has not only acted outside the Constitution but has also formed beyond the Supreme Court's ruling on the Thirteenth Amendment. He warned that if the government does not declare itself a “revolutionary government,” the court could deem the current administration “unconstitutional” and consider alternatives through a military coup.

He emphasized that a revolutionary government cannot be overthrown through military coups or court rulings; it can only be established under the emergency provisions of the Constitution.

The petition further asserts that the revolutionary wave has influenced all sectors of life, including the judiciary, press, administration, and a consensus government, which exists outside the Constitution. However, the government has yet to announce any steps to fulfill the aspirations of the movement or recognize the grassroots as freedom fighters for 2024.

Barrister Shahriar Kabir also remarked that Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy are attempting to overthrow the revolutionary government under Machiavellian principles, as indicated by recent media reports suggesting that she plans to form a government in exile.