Asif Nazrul calls for informed public discourse amid backlash

Professor Asif Nazrul, Law Adviser to the interim government, has called on the public to seek facts before criticizing individuals over government policies. In a Facebook post titled “Criticism”, published Wednesday night, he addressed recent attacks directed at him and his family over a law concerning the definition of freedom fighters.

Nazrul clarified that although the ordinance bore the name of the Ministry of Law, it was drafted by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, not by him personally.

Many people don’t know that regardless of which ministry drafts an ordinance, it must be officially issued by the Ministry of Law,” he explained. “It’s a formal procedure under the Rules of Business, not a reflection of who authored the law.”

Nazrul detailed how the process works: all ministries may draft laws, but legal issuance must go through the Law Ministry. This, he said, is true in Bangladesh and most countries.

“The NBR ordinance was drafted by the Ministry of Finance. The disciplinary law for government employees came from the Public Administration Ministry. But both were issued by the Law Ministry.”

He stressed that the Law Ministry only takes legislative initiative on matters under its direct jurisdiction, such as amendments to civil procedure or judicial appointments.

Nazrul questioned why he is often criticized for decisions outside his control, but seldom acknowledged for government successes.

“If I’m blamed for a former president’s overseas trip, shouldn’t I also be credited for stable commodity prices?” he asked. “Neither would be fair.”

He emphasized that accountability for government actions should lie with the appropriate ministry or individual.

Ending on a personal note, Nazrul urged people to avoid baseless slander.

“Some find joy in tearing others down. But such actions can cause pain you wouldn’t wish on yourself,” he wrote. “To those who aren’t like that — I request: please understand the facts before criticizing.”