Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has remarked that lawyers are significantly lagging in the “marriage market” compared to other professionals.
He attributed this to lawyers themselves tarnishing their own reputation and urged them to reform their professional image.
The minister made these comments as the chief guest while speaking at the inauguration of a training workshop for lawyers and a reception programme for new members, held at the Chattogram District Bar Association auditorium on Sunday.
During his address, he discussed various issues including professional skills, ethics, the importance of training, corruption, money laundering, and national development.
Recalling his own marriage, the law minister shared that his proposal was initially met with hesitation from his in-laws. “When my proposal was sent, my in-laws’ side first turned up their noses,” he said.
He was questioned as to why he would not join the judiciary or the BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service). In response, he had said his intention to pursue politics and the legal profession, leaving the decision of marriage to them.
Professional excellence and ‘Zakat’
Asaduzzaman emphasised that there are no “shortcuts” to becoming a successful lawyer, noting that the profession requires a long period of learning.
Reflecting on his early career, he mentioned working under his senior, Barrister Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed, alongside many renowned lawyers of the country.
Asaduzzaman advised lawyers not to chase money, asserting that “money will chase you” if they focus on learning.
He described five stages of the legal profession, noting that while the first stage involves much work with little income, the final stage allows earnings even without active work.
Asaduzzaman urged lawyers to treat some of their work for the poor and working-class people as “professional zakat”. The minister noted that 1,054 new lawyers are joining the existing 9,000 members of the Chattogram District Bar Association.
Highlighting the necessity of training, Asaduzzaman revealed that during his tenure as Chairman of the Bar Council, he signed an agreement with a British institution to bring 80,000 lawyers under a training programme. He stressed that even the most senior lawyers must undergo training for professional excellence.
Drawing a comparison to rural life, he remarked that the current state of junior lawyers is like “chicken chicks” following a mother hen, moving around as their seniors conduct cases.
Corruption and money laundering
Turning to the issue of corruption, the law minister cited a report from the world-renowned Time magazine, stating that 234 billion USD has been illegally laundered from Bangladesh through documented channels over the past 16 years.
He provided specific examples of financial irregularities, noting that 280 crore BDT was allocated for a 3.75-kilometre road in Khulna.
In another instance, approximately Tk3,500 crore was embezzled in Pirojpur under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) by showing work only on paper, without a single inch of road being constructed.
He said such looting in the name of development projects has severely damaged the economy and eroded public trust.
Political integrity and national spirit
The minister called upon lawyers to protest corruption, even if it involves himself or his own party members. “If any worker of my party or I become involved in corruption, you will stand your ground and protest. Point it out to me,” he said.
He urged lawyers to be partners in building a habitable “dream Bangladesh” for children.
Asaduzzaman warned that failure would mean the sacrifice of 1,400 martyrs would be in vain, along with the sacrifices of those who were attacked or imprisoned without cause over the last 17 years.
He added that such a failure would also dishonour the spirit of the 1971 Independence.
Dignitaries in attendance
The workshop featured Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Sahadat Hossain and Abu Sufian, member of Parliament for Chattogram-9, as special guests.
Other notable attendees included Md Khadem Ul Kayes, additional secretary of the Law and Justice Division; Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian, deputy commissioner; Kazi Abdul Hannan, district and sessions judge; Md Hasanul Islam, metropolitan sessions judge; AGM Monirul Hasan Sarker, chief metropolitan magistrate; Md Sohag Talukder, chief judicial magistrate; and Mohammad Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, member of the Bangladesh Bar Council Ad-hoc Committee.
The event was presided over by Tarique Ahmed, president of Chattogram District Bar Association. Mohammed Moinuddin, general secretary of the association, delivered the welcome speech, while Mohammad Nazrul Islam, assistant general secretary, moderated the programme.
