A section of pro-BNP lawyers on Sunday declared Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal “persona non-grata” on Supreme Court premises and demanded his immediate resignation.
The lawyers, demonstrating under the banner of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, alleged that the attorney general’s office is patronising individuals associated with Awami League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Citizen Party (NCP).
During a protest rally held in front of the Supreme Court Bar Association, the lawyers raised serious questions regarding the political identities, transparency, and potential financial irregularities involved in the recent recruitment of state law officers.
The protesters claimed to have initially identified 30 deputy attorney generals (DAGs) and 83 assistant attorney generals (AAGs) – out of 265 newly appointed law officers – as being involved in the politics of the Awami League, Jamaat, and NCP.
They alleged that these appointments were made based on political identity, financial transactions, and special favours rather than professional merit or experience, attributing the responsibility for these decisions to the attorney general.
Following the rally, leaflets were distributed demanding the establishment of a “fascist-free, hidden, secret, and corruption-free” attorney general’s office.
The lawyers also called for an investigation into allegations of financial dealings in the appointment of DAGs and AAGs and urged for the proper evaluation of dedicated leaders within the Ainjibi Forum.
Sharif U Ahmed, a key organiser of the movement, said, “We have declared Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal persona non-grata and demanded his resignation. Our programmes will continue until our demands are met.”
Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal, the Organising Secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, reiterated the allegations of Awami League-linked individuals being appointed to the office.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, he remarked that many of the new appointees had never been seen active in nationalist politics and instead claimed they included supporters of the Awami League and Jamaat.
He further asserted that those protesting are dedicated field workers of nationalist politics and warned that appointments made through corruption are harmful to the organisation. He maintained that those responsible for the appointments must resolve the issue.
The programme, moderated by Sharif U Ahmed, was attended by lawyers Ayub Ali Ashrafi, Rezaul Karim, Shahriar Kakon, Rashida Alim Oishee, Anowara Shikha, Sarwar Akham Khan, Ohidul Islam Opu, Amirul Islam Shanu, Sabina Yasmin Lipi, Rafiqul Islam Montu, Abdullah Al Baki, Ashikuzzaman Nazrul, ABM Ibrahim Khalil, Kohinoor Papri, Zahirul Islam Sumon, Habibur Rahman, Anisur Rahman Khan, and Abdus Samad, among others.
Speakers at the rally emphasised that professional skill, experience, and one’s role in past movements should have been the primary criteria for such important roles representing the state.
They argued that these standards were ignored and demanded the cancellation of controversial appointments in favour of qualified lawyers who participated in the struggle against the previous regime.
The current wave of protests began on 2nd August, following two notifications issued by the Solicitor Wing of the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry on 30th July.
Those notifications cancelled all previous DAG and AAG appointments, replacing them with 86 new Deputy attorney generals and 179 assistant attorney generals.
The agitating lawyers have announced a sit-in programme for Monday to continue their push for reforms and the attorney general’s resignation.
