Why not blockade, hartal be declared unconstitutional: HC

The High Court(HC) issued Monday a rule asking the government and political parties to explain why blockade and hartal should not be declared unconstitutional and void, reports UNB.

In its series of rules upon a writ petition, an HC division bench comprising Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ATM Saifur Rahman, also asked the government to explain why its inaction to impose legal restrictions on blockade and hartal should not be declared unlawful.

Four business bodies - Federation of Bangladesh Chambers and Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufactures & Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) - filed the writ.

The writ petition in the form of public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to make illegal the nationwide indefinite transport blockade and hartal enforced by BNP-Jamaat alliance and asking compensation for the losses incurred due to blockade and hartal since January 6.

In the face of the court's stance, the counsel for the business bodies dropped the word PIL during the admissibility hearing on the writ petition.

In its rules, the HC further asked the respondent-political parties to explain why calling hartal without notice with a reasonable time should not be declared illegal and why they should not be held responsible for incurring losses due to blockade and hartal.

Besides, the HC asked the government and the political parties to explain why it should not be directed to compensate the business bodies that have suffered financial losses due to blockade and hartal.

In addition, the HC asked the respondents to explain why directive should not be given to prevent the media from publishing, airing or telecasting the news about the announcement of blockade-hartal programmes.