The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has temporarily suspended the High Court’s landmark ruling that declared “Joy Bangla” as the country’s national slogan. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed announced the decision on Tuesday after hearing the state’s appeal.
The suspension comes as a significant development in the ongoing legal and political discourse surrounding the iconic phrase. “Joy Bangla,” often regarded as a symbol of Bangladeshi nationalism, has deep roots in the country’s liberation war and is closely tied to the cultural and historical identity of Bengal.
On December 2, the state filed a petition seeking the suspension of the High Court’s March 2020 judgment. The original ruling, delivered by Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader, had declared: “We declare that ‘Joy Bangla’ shall be the national slogan of Bangladesh.” The petition itself dates back to 2017 and was brought forth by Supreme Court lawyer Dr. Bashir Ahmed.
Political changes in Bangladesh have added a layer of complexity to the case. Following the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the interim government acted swiftly to challenge the High Court’s verdict. On December 2, Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R. Haque confirmed the submission of the stay petition.
The suspension of the ruling has sparked debate among various factions, with critics viewing it as a move to downplay the historical significance of “Joy Bangla.” For now, the slogan’s status as a national symbol remains uncertain pending further deliberation by the judiciary.