Courts held hostage by BNP-Jamaat syndicate: Ordinary lawyers on the streets of Chittagong

❐ Staff correspondent

The sacred courtyard of the country’s judiciary has now become a political battlefield. Lawyers are calling the unprecedented clashes and muscle-building seen today surrounding the Chittagong District Bar Association elections a ‘dark chapter’ in the history of the bar.

Apparently, allegations have been raised that ordinary lawyers are being deprived of their voting rights while implementing the final design for the distribution of positions among BNP-Jamaat-affiliated lawyers.

An unprecedented scene unfolded in front of the Chittagong District Bar Association Library on Wednesday afternoon, May 20. When lawyers led by Awami League presidential candidate Abdur Rashid, under the banner of ‘General Lawyers Council’, went to collect nomination papers, they were attacked by a group of BNP-backed lawyers.

The situation became so heated that the Election Commission members locked the main door of the library. In protest of this insult, ordinary lawyers took to the streets of the court premises. Their only slogan was—“Vote thief, vote thief!”

General Secretary candidate Fakhruddin Javed expressed his anger, saying, “We are not even being allowed to collect nomination papers. We are being prevented from entering the library. This is not an election, this is a complete robbery.”

On the other hand, the comments of Nationalist Lawyers Forum leader Kamrul Islam Chowdhury have further muddied the situation. He has made it clear that in the current context, there is no environment for Awami League-close associates to hold elections—which analysts believe directly indicates political repression.

Not only Chittagong, but every bar association in the country is now facing the same situation. The inability to participate in the Dhaka Bar elections, the threat of voting in Barisal and Manikganj, and the cancellation of the nominations of 42 pro-Awami League candidates in the recent Supreme Court Bar elections have also come to the attention of the international community. The culture of one-sided elections, excluding half of the 90 candidates, is severely hampering the democratic journey of the country.

Although the Chittagong District Bar Association elections are scheduled to be held tomorrow, May 21st, there is an atmosphere of panic there since today. The question of common lawyers is – if those who are responsible for protecting the legal rights of the common people are deprived of their own voting rights in this way, then where is the last hope of the common people?

Chittagong’s general lawyers have clearly stated that this tainted and one-sided election will remain a black mark on the pages of history.