In Britain, as in a few other countries, there is no shortage of causes, including some unpopular ones, to fight for. Some of these campaigns, often waged by small minorities, create waves to the discomfort of the establishment, like a recent call that the British monarch should pay income tax on her enormous wealth. There is nothing the establishment can do about what it might privately regard as unpleasant fall-outs of the freedom of expression enjoyed by the people in Britain.

Now. it seems, the Judges in Britain have become the object of a controversy, which has been picked up by the press and broadcast by BBC for world-wide attention. How far do the judges who plainly detest being involved in any public controversy view the discussion remains a matter of speculation.

The controversy has been touched off by a demand from a little-known group, called "Charter 88”. that the system of appointment of Judges in Britain should be modified to reflect the changing social structure in the country. It argues that, under the existing system, the Judges tend to be pro-establishment in their views, apart from being too old to understand the contemporary trends in today's Britain. In short, they are out of touch with the reality. What's more, the group complains that the representation of the minorities and women on the bench is hopelessly inadequate. if not dismal.

In view of the support the group has generated even people in the legal profession, the British judges, if not the Judiciary as a whole, have ceased to be a sacred cow. However, several important personalities have Jumped to the defence of the status quo. This is not surprising. After all, any system that has survived centuries, like the hard core of the British judiciary, serving as a model for other countries, including Bangladesh, must Indeed be very strong in its foundation. But. then, it is possible that its own inner strength and its superb confidence in its own near-infalll-billty may have made this unique institution Just a little insensitive to the need for changes.

There is a saying that even in advanced countries. the society moves forward faster than tradition-bound institutions. This, some say. is particularly true in the case of Britain. Now that a wind of change is sweeping through more than half of Europe, demolishing old myths and destroying sacred taboos, one wonders how long it will take the other half of Europe, feeling a little smug in its own sense of security, to feel the blast Which institution will be hit first?

The Charter 88 has provided Just one signal asking for a change in one important British institution. One wonders what will be the next signal about