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Political rifts
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and the rich crush the laws. A strong and independent judiciary is indispensable for a strong democratic system,” Hasan Foez said.
“The desire to bring about changes in the judiciary was roused in me by people’s growing demand for solving problems. Perhaps I could just create a stir. The steps I have taken will contribute to solving their problems but solutions to all the problems are not possible overnight,” he said.
Talking about solutions, he said finding comprehensive solutions requires a lot of initiatives, including coordinated approaches and a commitment to rid social, political and state institutions of corruption.
The chief justice urged the politically affiliated lawyers to think about the colossal sacrifices made for this country at least 10 times before they take any decision that may damage the image of the judiciary.
“If your decisions are wrong, the state and judiciary will be harmed ultimately. The learned lawyers must take a stand against those forces which weaken the judiciary and impede the establishment of democracy and the rule of law,” he said.
Hasan Foez said the judiciary is the protector of the fundamental rights of the people as well as the constitution. The judges have to be brave, liberal, patient, thoughtful, kind and prudent to ensure justice, he added.
The chief justice said independence of the judiciary is essential for establishing participatory democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of the weaker sections of society.
All the judges and lawyers of the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court were present at the programme.

Contractors
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a long time and are leaders of the pro-ruling party student organisation, are involved in such criminal activities.
He also alleged that contractors have been extorted by a section of leaders and activists of the pro-ruling party student platforms over the years.
This newspaper could not reach Vice-Chancellor Prof Shirin Akhter for comments as she did not answer her phone.
Iqbal Hossain Tipu, general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League CU unit, said the contractors’ association did not accuse any particular leader or activist of their organisation.
He said action would be taken against any Chhatra League member if there is specific allegation.
The CU engineering department on Monday cut the water, gas and electricity supplies to the campus for several hours and staged a protest in front of the administrative building demanding arrest of a Chhatra League leader for assaulting the CU chief engineer and a security officer.
The staffers alleged that Raju Munsi, joint general secretary of CU Chhatra League and also a former student of the university, led the attack over collecting toll.
On Monday night, CU Security Officer Abdur Razzak filed a case with Hathazari Police Station accusing Raju and two other unnamed persons of carrying out the attack.
Campus sources said Raju earlier halted the construction work of the second fine arts faculty building after demanding toll.
Though he is no longer a student, he lives at the Chhatra League-dominated Shahjalal Hall, the sources added.
This newspaper could not reach Raju for comments as his phone was found switched off.