Lawyer urges PM to block president’s address to inaugural parliament session
The letter further alleged that in an interview published in the Bangla daily Kaler Kantho on 20 February, the president not only disrespected the spirit of the revolution but also presented "distorted facts" regarding the period.
A Supreme Court lawyer has sent a letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, urging him to prevent President Mohammad Shahabuddin from addressing the inaugural session of the 13th parliament, citing a breach of the "spirit of the July Uprising".
Barrister ASM Shahriar Kabir, who submitted the letter today (2 March), argued that the president failed to take any effective measures during the uprising and has yet to express any remorse for the actions of the fallen Awami League government.
The letter further alleged that in an interview published in the Bangla daily Kaler Kantho on 20 February, the president not only disrespected the spirit of the revolution but also presented "distorted facts" regarding the period.
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Shahriar contended that by doing so, the president violated his oath of office and lost the legal right to continue in his post.
"This request is not merely a personal one; it reflects the aspirations of the people," the letter stated.
The letter called upon the prime minister to ensure that the president is neither allowed to summon the parliamentary session nor permitted to deliver the customary inaugural speech, in order to uphold the spirit of the July Uprising.
Notably, the president has summoned the first session of parliament for 12 March.
The Prime Minister's Office has not yet issued any response to the letter.
Earlier, on 25 February, the same lawyer had served a legal notice to the cabinet secretary, the secretary of the parliament secretariat and the law secretary, demanding the president's removal on similar grounds.
That notice claimed that the president suppressed information regarding alleged foreign nationality and business interests abroad, and questioned his past role as chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission, raising allegations of politically motivated cases against BNP leaders, including the late Arafat Rahman Koko.
Citing these grounds, the 25 February notice argued that the president has lost the moral and legal authority to continue in office and to inaugurate the first session of the 13th parliament. It demanded that steps be taken within 24 hours to appoint a new president in accordance with the constitution.
