Tangail: President Abdul Hamid suggested taking collective efforts by the judiciary, lawyers and police administration to reduce slothfulness of cases, saying that relentless efforts will have to be made to establish the rule of law in society.

‘It must be kept in mind that law is for the people. Lawyers can play role in ensuring equal access of the rich and poor to law. You have to play role in eliminating injustice and inequalities from society,’ said the President while speaking at the 125 years celebration programme of Tangail District Advocates’ Bar Samiti in Tangail on Sunday.

He said the role of lawyers in the legal system is undeniable and the legal profession is such a job through which it is possible to ensure social welfare along with maintaining livelihood.

Terming the legal practice as a noble profession, the President requested the lawyers to look after at least a case of an insolvent and helpless individual without taking any payment.

‘I want to make you a request. Each lawyer will look after a case of at least an insolvent and helpless individual every year. If you do so, the society will be changed and general people will be more respectful to the law,’ said President Hamid, who was also a lawyer.

Mentioning the socioeconomic reality of Bangladesh, he said a large number of people cannot take the shelter of law because of insolvency. The present government has enacted Legal Aid Services Act, 2000 to reach legal services at the door-step of the people who are insolvent, helpless and deprived, he said.

He recalled the role of lawyers in parliament and said parliament is the centre of formulation of law and two-thirds member of the 1970 and 1973 parliament were lawyers but this number is gradually coming down.

He said Tangail bar is one of the oldest bars in the country and after its inception in 1887, the bar has been playing an important role in establishing the rule of law and ensuring justice for the people.