HC issues rule on declaring Dr. Yunus as ‘national reformer’

The High Court has issued a rule questioning why Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, should not be declared a "national reformer."

The rule was issued on Monday (July 14) by a High Court bench consisting of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Syed Zahid Mansur.

The court also questioned why an order should not be given to officially recognize the martyrs of the July uprising—such as Abu Sayed, Mugdha, and Wasim—as “national heroes” and to prepare a neutral and accurate list of those who were killed.

Secretaries of the ministries of Public Administration, Cabinet Division, Defence, and Law, along with other relevant authorities, have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

The writ petition was filed by Emdadul Haque, a member of the Dhaka Union of Journalists. Advocate Mohammad Ali Jinnah represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Md. Shafiqul Rahman appeared on behalf of the state.

According to the petition, Dr. Yunus has played a significant role in economic, social, and international reforms in Bangladesh. Therefore, he should be declared a “national reformer.” The petition also demanded state recognition and honor for those who were martyred during the incident on July 16.