Bangladesh opposition leader charged with murder of protesters News
Bangladesh opposition leader charged with murder of protesters

[JURIST] Bangladesh [JURIST news archive] authorities announced Wednesday that opposition leader and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed [Wikipedia profile] has been charged with four counts of murder arising from the deaths of four protesters during political turmoil in October. In all, 46 people were charged following a murder investigation that was prompted by a complaint filed by the Jamaat Islami party [Wikipedia backgrounder], one of the four parties that supports Wajed's main political rival Khaleda Zia [Virtual Bangladesh profile]. Wajed's alleged role in the killings is unclear. AFP has more.

Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency January 11 [JURIST report] and later indefinitely postponed elections scheduled for January 22 after the collapse of a caretaker government in the face of violent protests over election procedures. In the wake of the emergency declaration Bangladeshi authorities detained over 2500 people and have raided the homes of several political leaders, making multiple arrests [JURIST reports].

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.