Judges Warn Nationwide Pen-Strike if Demands Not Met Within 48 Hours

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) has warned that if two of their demands—including adequate security for all courts, judges’ residences, and commuting—are not fully implemented within 48 hours, judges across the country will observe a pen-strike starting next Sunday.

The warning came in a statement on Friday signed by BJSA President Md. Amirul Islam and General Secretary Muhammad Mazharul Islam.

Another demand calls for strict action against police officers involved in negligence regarding judges’ security in the Rajshahi incident and for presenting the arrested suspect before the media unlawfully, displaying unprofessional behavior.

The statement noted that at the residence of Rajshahi Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Abdur Rahman, a brutal stabbing by assailants led to the death of his son, Tausif Rahman Sumon (18), and left his wife Tasmin Nahar seriously injured. BJSA expressed condolences to the grieving family and prayed for the departed soul. The judiciary is left shocked and speechless by this daylight attack, and judges nationwide are outraged.

Despite repeated letters from the Supreme Court to the government to ensure security at every court, tribunal premises, courtroom, judges’ residences, and vehicles, no effective measures have been taken. Adequate government housing and transportation for district-level judges are lacking, and the situation of judges working in outpost courts is even worse.

Judges are often forced to live in unsecured rental homes, commute by rickshaw or van, or even on foot. The judiciary has long highlighted this negligence and extreme carelessness, but the state has not taken effective steps, leading to this tragic crisis for judges’ families. While judges are dedicated to protecting state and public security, their personal safety remains unassured.

Khaborwala/TSN