Editorial
HC verdict on Speaker's ruling revives controversy
Judiciary and Parliament must work in tandem
The High Court (HC) verdict, whose full text was released on Monday, on the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker's ruling about an HC judge on May 29 seems to have reopened, rather than put an end to the row between two fundamental organs of democracy and the state.
Initially, the row was triggered by a debate in parliament over the views expressed by an HC judge at a hearing against government's delay in implementing an HC order given in 2011 on vacating Supreme Court property on R& H premises.
At a stage of the debate, the Speaker said, "…it looks odd when they (court) take quick decisions to resolve their own problems, while people wait for years to get justice."
Later at an HC hearing on June 5, a judge termed the Speakers' comment as tantamount to sedition. And the Speaker through a JS ruling later termed that judge's comment a violation of the constitution.
We were saddened to see that two vital pillars of democracy, the judiciary and parliament, embroiled in a slanging match issuing derogatory remarks about each other.
We think the Speaker's initial comment against HC judges' way of working was uncalled-for. But what the HC justice said in response was astounding. We fail to understand how the Speakers' remark can be tantamount to sedition.
However, later the Speaker in an attempt to put an end to this controversy asked the MPs to drop their motion against the judge leaving the matter to the discretion of the Chief Justice to resolve.
We had hoped that the Speaker's last ruling on the issue would have resolved the controversy once and for all. But it appears from the recent HC observation that the issue is far from resolved.
We are left dumbfounded at the continuing tug of war between two vital organs of the state. If the parliament as the House of the people and an independent judiciary have a contentious relationship and do not show respect to each other, democracy is placed in jeopardy as people's confidence in the system is dealt a severe blow.
We hope the Speaker and the Chief Justice will exercise their wisdom to settle the issue amicably between these two institutions of democracy and the state and give a decent burial to the controversy.
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