HC verdict declaring ‘Joy Bangla’ as national slogan stayed

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s verdict that had declared “Joy Bangla” as the country’s national slogan.

As a result, “Joy Bangla” is no longer a national slogan of the country.

A four-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed delivered the verdict following a hearing of the state’s appeal on Tuesday (December 10).

Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque represented the state during the hearing in the court.

Earlier, on December 2, the state filed a petition seeking suspension of the High Court verdict that had declared “Joy Bangla” as the national slogan.

The original writ petition, filed in 2017 by Supreme Court lawyer Dr Bashir Ahmed, sought to declare “Joy Bangla” as the national slogan.

Subsequently, on March 10, 2020, the High Court bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader delivered the landmark verdict.

“We declare that ‘Joy Bangla’ shall be the national slogan of Bangladesh,” read a part of the judgment in Bangla.

Later, on February 20, 2022, the cabinet led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina issued a notice recognising it as the national slogan.

The then Awami League government made ‘Joy Bangla’ the national slogan through a gazette notification issued on March 2, 2022.

Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque confirmed the filing of the stay petition on December 2 after the state moved to suspend the High Court’s ruling following the change of government on August 5.