Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has issued a stay on a High Court (HC) judgment that declared August 15 as a national mourning day and public holiday. This decision comes amidst ongoing legal and political debates regarding the status of the date. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the full bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order on December 1. Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek Rushd Haque made this announcement to the press, highlighting the court's intervention in the matter. The controversy began when the interim government canceled the public holiday on August 15 on August 13, 2024. The Cabinet Division, in a statement issued that day, explained that the decision was made following consensus reached through dialogues between the council of advisers and various political parties. The historical background of the holiday traces back to 1996 when the Awami League, upon assuming power, declared August 15 as the natio nal mourning day and a public holiday. However, this decision was overturned by the BNP-led four-party alliance government in 2002. In response, three lawyers with ties to the Awami League filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging the cancellation. Subsequently, the High Court ruled the four-party alliance government's decision as illegal and reinstated the national mourning day and public holiday on August 15. The recent appeal by the state to the Supreme Court was aimed at staying the High Court's judgment, marking another chapter in the legal proceedings surrounding this contentious issue.
