A writ petition was filed with the High Court yesterday seeking its directive for making mandatory the observance of eight national days, including Independence Day and Martyred Intellectuals Day, for all political parties and citizens. The petition also sought the court directives on cancellation of registration of political parties which would not observe the national days. The writ, field by lawyers M Mozammel Haque and Md Shahidul Islam also sought the HC directives postponing the next general election until the writ petition is disposed of. After brief hearing on the petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah fixed Monday (January 8) for further hearing on the petition.

The petitioners told reporters that they sought a High Court directive to make mandatory the observance of eight national days, including March 26 as Independence Day, December 14 as Martyred Intellectuals Day, January 10 as Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day, August 15 as National Mourning Day, and November 3 as Jail Killing Day, for all political parties and citizens.

Besides, the court order also sought for an order on recognising ‘Joy Bangla’ as a motto for all political parties and citizens. Some 19 political parties, including Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party and their alliances, and six government high-ups, including the cabinet secretary, law secretary and election commission secretary, have been made as respondents in the petition.

Advocate Mozammel Haque took part in the hearing on behalf of his petition while deputy attorney general Taposh Kumar Biswash represented the state. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam will take part in the next hearing.