The High Court yesterday directed the government to take necessary steps to use Bangla, the state language, in all advertisements of electronic media, signboards, personal nameplates, and registration plates of all vehicles. The court also asked the government to introduce Bangla in all spheres within a month and submit a compliance report in this regard by April 1.The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain in two weeks why it should not be directed to enforce the Bangla Bhasha Procholon Ain (Bengali Language Implementation Act, 1987) in all offices and courts.
Secretaries to the cabinet division, law, home and cultural ministries, Dhaka University vice chancellor, Bangla Academy director general and SC registrar have been made respondents to comply with the HC order.
The HC bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Haque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain came up with the order and rule after primarily hearing on a writ petition filed by Advocate Yunus Ali Akand, a Supreme Court lawyer.
Advocate Akand submitted the petition seeking an HC order asking the officials concerned to use Bangla as the official language.
Bengali Language Implementation Act, 1987 stipulates that all the government offices and courts in Bangladesh must carry out their proceedings in Bangla.
The law, however, said that communication of the government and semi-government offices with the foreign missions would be in English.
“If any individual in his office communicates in a language other than Bangla, that will be considered illegal according to the act,” petitioner said.
He also said that the act, although formed a long ago, is yet to be implemented.
Courtesy of The Independent
