On December 4, 2017, an HC bench issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why ‘Joy Bangla’ should not be declared the national slogan following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Dr Bashir Ahmed.
Later on December 10, 2019, the court asked the government to take steps to ensure the use of ‘Joy Bangla’ as the national slogan from December 16.
The lawyers who stood for the petitioner said “Joy Bangla” was the main slogan during the Liberation War in 1971. Even, some poets, litterateurs and intellectuals of the then West Pakistan who had supported the Liberation War used to shout “Joy Bangla” slogan, they said.
Freedom fighters made the supreme sacrifice shouting “Joy Bangla” slogan after being captured by Pakistan occupation forces, they said.