Half a century of political experiences
During the 34 years, political misjudgment and misplaced priority of national issues have an adverse impact on democratic traditions in the country. Justice Masud has recorded his personal views on events from 1940 to 1991, a period that has impacted in various ways on Bangladesh's history.
The significance of the book lies in the fact that Justice Masud has viewed the events from his varied and rich career, first as a student leader (General Secretary of the Assam Provincial Muslim Students' Federation) in the 40s, second as a successful Advocate of the Dhaka High Court during Pakistan days and third as a Justice of the Supreme Court (both in the High Court and Appellate Divisions) and finally as the Chief Election Commissioner (1985-90) of Bangladesh.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. His views are stimulating and often provocative. The issues raised lead to bigger questions as to why some of the events had occurred after emergence of Bangladesh. In the preface of the book, the author has stated: "In this book, I have touched many points but did not discuss those in detail. I am leaving it for future scholars and thinkers who will discuss these factors in historical perspective."
The author has dealt with the issues in 11 Chapters. All the Chapters are well structured and compact. The author has written in an easy style and avoids jargons to explore all aspects of political events in the country
Although the book is autobiographical in character, it weaves around author's experience and perceptions on events that occurred from 1940 to 1991 and thus covers three periods under British, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The past cannot be separated from the present and that is why understanding of past events provides appreciation of the current political situation in the country.
The book would have richer in contents if the author would have expressed his views on issues he described in chapters that discuss higher judiciary. For example, his views on (i) increase and reduction of age at different times for Supreme Court judges, (ii) the bifurcation of the Supreme Court into High Court and Supreme Court with two Chief Justices and (iii) the establishment of six permanent benches of the High Curt Division outside Dhaka, would have beneficial for readers.
Another rare event the author describes is that the then Chief Justice had to assume the position of the Chief Martial Law Administrator of an unconstitutional government. The views of the author as the retired Justice of the Supreme Court would have been appropriate as to whether the Chief Justice should have accepted the position of CMLA.
Nevertheless, the core message of the book is not distracted by silence of the author on the issues relating to higher judiciary. Drawing on a wealth of his experience for over six decades, the book is an insightful work and challenges readers to come up with answers to the issues raised in the book. It deserves wide readership and I commend the publisher APPL to make the book accessible to readers.
Finally, it has been my immense pleasure to have been asked to review the book as I have met with Justice Masud for the first time in 1962 when I returned from London and joined the Dhaka High Court Bar.