Remarks on Chief Justice Sinha reek of communalism: BNP leader Rizvi

The government is trying to drive Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha out of Bangladesh because he belongs to a religious minority, BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged.

Justice Sinha has been facing sharp criticism from the ruling Awami League since delivering his observations in the top court’s verdict scrapping the 16th constitutional amendment on Aug 1.

It has abolished the amendment which the Awami League passed in 2014 empowering parliament to impeach judges of the apex court.

The Awami League leaders have been asking for Sinha’s resignation claiming that he has belittled members of parliament and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his observation. 

“A senior minister has suggested the chief justice leave the country. Some other leaders have echoed her,” Rizvi said on Monday at a party event.

“They are deliberately promoting communalism with such comments. After all, the chief justice belongs to a religious minority and such threats against him are nothing but a reflection of the communal mindset,” said Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the BNP.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury on Sunday said: “You (CJ Sinha) don’t seem to like anything here so it’s better if you leave Bangladesh or get yourself treated in the mental hospital at Pabna.”

Referring to Matia’s remarks, Rizvi said: “Why would he leave the country? The ruling party’s ulterior motive seems to be grabbing his property.”

Rizvi also blamed the government for evicting people of the religious minority from their homes.

The senior BNP leader accused the Awami League of grabbing lands and places of worship of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists.

He called on Justice Sinha not to be cowed by the “threats”. “The threats are to break your spirits.”

“You will become a hero if you stay firm in the face of pressure. You will lose people’s respect if you give in to their demands,” Rizvi said referring to CJ Sinha.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gawher Rizvi have met separately with the chief justice to mount pressure on him, he said.

Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal organised a prayer session at the BNP headquarters in Dhaka on Monday seeking a quick recovery of the party’s chairperson Khaleda Zia, who recently has gone through an eye surgery in London.