The Appellate Division has stayed the High Court's verdict declaring August 15 as a public holiday for 'National Mourning.' The decision was made by the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, on Sunday. Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R. Haque confirmed the development on Monday.
In 2009, the High Court declared August 15 as 'National Mourning' Day, a designation that has been observed annually since then. However, this year, the observance of the day has been postponed, with the government seeking to suspend the High Court's ruling.
The Awami League government had been observing August 15 as 'National Mourning Day' since 2008, to mark the assassinations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family. However, following the coup on August 5 and the formation of an interim government under Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the government issued a notification on August 13, canceling the holiday for this year.
It is worth noting that August 15 was recognized as an 'A' Category National Day, a public holiday in memory of the massacre of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
