Yunus does not seek titles like ‘National Reformer’, says CAO

The response follows a writ petition, which also urges the court to declare those killed in July Uprising as “National Heroes”

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has not sought any title such as “National Reformer”.

The Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) issued a statement to write it off on Tuesday, following a writ petition that urged the court to declare Yunus a “National Reformer”, and those killed in the July Uprising as “National Heroes”.

The petition was filed in February by Imdadul Haque, a member of the Dhaka Union of Journalists.

After a preliminary hearing of the writ petition, a bench led by Justice Fahmida Quader issued a rule on Monday.

In the rule, the court asked why those killed during the July Uprising, like Abu Sayed, Mir Mugdha, and Wasim, should not be declared “National Heroes”.

The court also asked why the government should not be directed to prepare and publish an official and gazetted list of those killed in the Uprising.

The Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, and other relevant officials have been directed to respond to the rule within four weeks.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CAO said the government has taken note of the High Court’s ruling and will respond once it receives a copy of the court’s order.

Addressing the title of “National Reformer”, the CAO’s statement clarified: “Professor Yunus does not intend to be declared as such, nor does the government plan to confer any such title on Professor Yunus.”

“The writ petitioner appears to have filed the petition on his own, and it is unclear on what basis the direction has been sought,” it said.

The statement also confirmed that the Attorney General’s office will look into the matter.