Historic verdict
After the historic Supreme Court verdict on the killing of Sheikh Mujib many people have claimed that it's a glorious triumph of the rule of law in Bangladesh. However, we must not forget that this verdict was made possible because its facilitation was one of the foremost priorities of the ruling party. The family members of the incumbent prime minister were the direct victims of the brutal massacre of 1975. Obviously, no one can possibly condone the killers of his/her family members and as the most powerful person of the nation she was firmly determined to bring the killers to justice.
I think it won't be wise to regard this verdict as the ultimate triumph of 'the rule of law' because I have strong doubts whether this verdict would have been made possible so promptly, if the Awami League had not been in the state power. We observed that previously several ruling governments delayed justice and created obstacles in the way of unfettered proceedings of the case. I think today this verdict was made possible not because of the supremacy of the rule of law, but because of the fact that the relatives of the victims of this gruesome killing hold the supreme political power in the country. And it's apparent that in Bangladesh in order to ensure fair justice everyone needs (no matter how renowned he/she might be) political power and influence. Factually speaking, we can't claim that our 'rule of law' is strong enough to ensure justice for every ordinary citizen of the country, unless the victims possess significant political authority.
Sheikh Hasina, despite being one of the most notable personalities of the country, could only ensure justice for herself after she had secured the supreme political power. It clearly proves that in this country only those who are politically influential can generally get fair justice.
I have strong doubts whether Sheikh Hasina would have been able to get justice after so many years, if she had been an ordinary citizen. We surely can't be certain about that. If ever such a day comes when we'll be absolutely certain that every ordinary Bangladeshi will get fair justice, only on that day it will be wise for us to glorify the ultimate triumph of our judiciary and the rule of law.
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