Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, has voiced his frustration over being singled out for government decisions, asserting that responsibility for state actions lies with the government as a whole. In a Facebook post made from his verified account at 11:22 PM on Wednesday (June 11), Dr. Nazrul responded to ongoing criticisms and called for a more informed and balanced approach from critics.
In a detailed three-paragraph post, Dr. Nazrul referred to recent backlash stemming from a controversial ordinance regarding the definition of freedom fighters. He stated that his family members were subjected to verbal abuse, with some individuals wrongly accusing him of drafting the law. “They said, ‘How could I make such a law!’ But in reality, this was done by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs,” he clarified. “Critics insisted the law bore the name of the Law Ministry, so I must be responsible.”
Dr. Nazrul emphasized that, under the Rules of Business, any ordinance—regardless of which ministry initiates it—must be formally issued by the Ministry of Law. “This is how it works in almost every country,” he wrote. For example, ordinances relating to the National Board of Revenue are made by the Ministry of Finance, but are issued through the Law Ministry. “Just because the gazette bears our name does not mean we are the originating ministry.”
He further noted that the Law Ministry only initiates laws related to its own scope, such as amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure or laws concerning judicial appointments. It does not create laws outside its jurisdiction—its role in most cases is limited to formal issuance.
In the second part of the post, Dr. Nazrul lamented a broader trend of unwarranted blame directed at him, even in matters unrelated to his role. “Why am I criticized for every negative outcome but not praised for the positive developments under the government?” he questioned. “If I am blamed for how a former president left the country, which falls under the Home Ministry, then I should also be praised for stable commodity prices—though that’s the domain of the Commerce Ministry. Neither approach is correct.”
Calling for more discernment, he urged critics to assign responsibility based on the proper ministry or department. “Criticism or praise should be given to the individual responsible for a particular task,” he wrote. “Generalizing or misdirecting blame is unfair.”
In the final section of his post, Dr. Nazrul addressed those who habitually engage in personal attacks. “Those who spread slander may find joy in it, but they cause pain that they themselves may never wish to endure,” he wrote. He concluded by appealing to people to be more informed and considerate before passing judgment. “Remember, God is watching, and we all will be held accountable one day.”
Dr. Asif Nazrul is a prominent academic and legal expert known for his outspoken views on governance and constitutional matters in Bangladesh. His recent statement reflects growing tension between public perception and administrative protocol within the current interim government.
