1. Martial Law: Martial law refers to the imposition of military control over civilian government and the legal system. During martial law, the military takes direct control of the country, suspending or restricting civil liberties and transferring power from civilian authorities to military commanders.

In the history of Bangladesh, martial law has been declared multiple times. The first instance was in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law and established a military regime. Subsequently, martial law was also declared in 1969, 1975, and 1982.

The most significant and controversial period of martial law in Bangladesh occurred in 1975 when General Ziaur Rahman seized power through a military coup. This marked the beginning of a prolonged military rule that lasted until 1990. During this period, the military had extensive control over the country, and civil liberties were curtailed.

Martial law and constitutional supremacy are two distinct concepts with different implications. Let's discuss each of them in the context of Bangladesh.

1. Martial Law: Martial law refers to the imposition of military control over civilian government and the legal system. During martial law, the military takes direct control of the country, suspending or restricting civil liberties and transferring power from civilian authorities to military commanders.

In the history of Bangladesh, martial law has been declared multiple times. The first instance was in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law and established a military regime. Subsequently, martial law was also declared in 1969, 1975, and 1982.

The most significant and controversial period of martial law in Bangladesh occurred in 1975 when General Ziaur Rahman seized power through a military coup. This marked the beginning of a prolonged military rule that lasted until 1990. During this period, the military had extensive control over the country, and civil liberties were curtailed.

2. Constitutional Supremacy: Constitutional supremacy refers to the principle that the constitution is the highest law of the land, and all other laws and actions must be in conformity with it. In a system based on constitutional supremacy, the constitution serves as a fundamental legal document that establishes the framework for the government, defines the powers and limitations of different branches of government, and protects individual rights and freedoms.

In Bangladesh, constitutional supremacy is enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh, which was adopted in 1972. The constitution outlines the structure of the government, guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, and establishes the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The principle of constitutional supremacy implies that all laws, actions, and policies must be consistent with the provisions of the constitution. The judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding constitutional supremacy by interpreting the constitution, reviewing the legality of laws and executive actions, and ensuring that they are in compliance with constitutional principles.

It's important to note that martial law and constitutional supremacy are incompatible concepts. Martial law involves the suspension or restriction of constitutional provisions, whereas constitutional supremacy requires the adherence to and protection of constitutional principles.

In Bangladesh's current context, constitutional supremacy is emphasized, and the country operates under a parliamentary democracy with an independent judiciary. Martial law has not been imposed since the return to civilian rule in 1990, and the Constitution of Bangladesh remains the supreme law of the land.

Martial law and constitutional supremacy are two distinct concepts with different implications. Let's discuss each of them in the context of Bangladesh.

1. Martial Law: Martial law refers to the imposition of military control over civilian government and the legal system. During martial law, the military takes direct control of the country, suspending or restricting civil liberties and transferring power from civilian authorities to military commanders.

In the history of Bangladesh, martial law has been declared multiple times. The first instance was in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law and established a military regime. Subsequently, martial law was also declared in 1969, 1975, and 1982.

The most significant and controversial period of martial law in Bangladesh occurred in 1975 when General Ziaur Rahman seized power through a military coup. This marked the beginning of a prolonged military rule that lasted until 1990. During this period, the military had extensive control over the country, and civil liberties were curtailed.

2. Constitutional Supremacy: Constitutional supremacy refers to the principle that the constitution is the highest law of the land, and all other laws and actions must be in conformity with it. In a system based on constitutional supremacy, the constitution serves as a fundamental legal document that establishes the framework for the government, defines the powers and limitations of different branches of government, and protects individual rights and freedoms.

In Bangladesh, constitutional supremacy is enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh, which was adopted in 1972. The constitution outlines the structure of the government, guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, and establishes the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The principle of constitutional supremacy implies that all laws, actions, and policies must be consistent with the provisions of the constitution. The judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding constitutional supremacy by interpreting the constitution, reviewing the legality of laws and executive actions, and ensuring that they are in compliance with constitutional principles.

It's important to note that martial law and constitutional supremacy are incompatible concepts. Martial law involves the suspension or restriction of constitutional provisions, whereas constitutional supremacy requires the adherence to and protection of constitutional principles.

In Bangladesh's current context, constitutional supremacy is emphasized, and the country operates under a parliamentary democracy with an independent judiciary. Martial law has not been imposed since the return to civilian rule in 1990, and the Constitution of Bangladesh remains the supreme law of the land.

1. 
   Martial Law: Martial law refers to the imposition of military control over civilian government and the legal system. During martial law, the military takes direct control of the country, suspending or restricting civil liberties and transferring power from civilian authorities to military commanders.

In the history of Bangladesh, martial law has been declared multiple times. The first instance was in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law and established a military regime. Subsequently, martial law was also declared in 1969, 1975, and 1982.

The most significant and controversial period of martial law in Bangladesh occurred in 1975 when General Ziaur Rahman seized power through a military coup. This marked the beginning of a prolonged military rule that lasted until 1990. During this period, the military had extensive control over the country, and civil liberties were curtailed.

Material Law

The material law definition explains that material law is a type of representation made to an individual with the goal of getting that person to enter into and agree to a contract that the person would not have normally done without that representation.

The "idea" of a constitution may be old.  After all even Aristotle had written about them.  However, the reality of "constitutions" as codified rules that define the structure of government, the relationship between its branches, and the rights and liberties of the people, is much more recent.  Even though the constitutions of San Marino and Sweden are technically older, it is the US constitution, ratified in 1789, which is generally considered to be the oldest continuously functioning written constitution.

While Bangladesh had a constitution, its commitment to "constitutionalism", i.e. embracing its principles and ensuring its sanctity and permanence, remained a bit shaky.  Drastic changes were introduced through the adoption of the 4th amendment on Jan 25, 1975, which radically shifted the initial focus of the constitution and turned it into a single-party, Presidential system, which curtailed the powers of the Parliament and the Judiciary, as well as the space for free speech or public assembly. 

In Bangladesh there have been some enabling conditions that have facilitated, and later intensified, this tendency.  First, in Weberian terms, it is "charismatic leadership" that prevails in Bangladesh (as opposed to rational/legal or coercive/traditional leadership).  The ability to appeal to the public through deploying the rhetorical, psychological and institutional instruments to "routinize" charisma also gives leaders an aura of absoluteness, and supports the fetishization of the "strong man" approach to leadership. Leaders "rule" through manipulating fear and favor.   Subordinates measure their importance in terms of their closeness to the leader which is cultivated through loyalty, service and sycophancy.  Ordinary people are encouraged to demonstrate subservience through regular and ritual affirmation of the leader's supremacy in exaggerated and, sometimes, comical ways.

1. Martial Law: Martial law refers to the imposition of military control over civilian government and the legal system. During martial law, the military takes direct control of the country, suspending or restricting civil liberties and transferring power from civilian authorities to military commanders.

In the history of Bangladesh, martial law has been declared multiple times. The first instance was in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law and established a military regime. Subsequently, martial law was also declared in 1969, 1975, and 1982.

The most significant and controversial period of martial law in Bangladesh occurred in 1975 when General Ziaur Rahman seized power through a military coup. This marked the beginning of a prolonged military rule that lasted until 1990. During this period, the military had extensive control over the country, and civil liberties were curtailed.

Martial law and constitutional supremacy are two distinct concepts with different implications. Let's discuss each of them in the context of Bangladesh.

1. Martial Law: Martial law refers to the imposition of military control over civilian government and the legal system. During martial law, the military takes direct control of the country, suspending or restricting civil liberties and transferring power from civilian authorities to military commanders.

In the history of Bangladesh, martial law has been declared multiple times. The first instance was in 1958 when General Ayub Khan imposed martial law and established a military regime. Subsequently, martial law was also declared in 1969, 1975, and 1982.

The most significant and controversial period of martial law in Bangladesh occurred in 1975 when General Ziaur Rahman seized power through a military coup. This marked the beginning of a prolonged military rule that lasted until 1990. During this period, the military had extensive control over the country, and civil liberties were curtailed.

2. Constitutional Supremacy: Constitutional supremacy refers to the principle that the constitution is the highest law of the land, and all other laws and actions must be in conformity with it. In a system based on constitutional supremacy, the constitution serves as a fundamental legal document that establishes the framework for the government, defines the powers and limitations of different branches of government, and protects individual rights and freedoms.

In Bangladesh, constitutional supremacy is enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh, which was adopted in 1972. The constitution outlines the structure of the government, guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, and establishes the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The principle of constitutional supremacy implies that all laws, actions, and policies must be consistent with the provisions of the constitution. The judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding constitutional supremacy by interpreting the constitution, reviewing the legality of laws and executive actions, and ensuring that they are in compliance with constitutional principles.

It's important to note that martial law and constitutional supremacy are incompatible concepts. Martial law involves the suspension or restriction of constitutional provisions, whereas constitutional supremacy requires the adherence to and protection of constitutional principles.

In Bangladesh's current context, constitutional supremacy is emphasized, and the country operates under a parliamentary democracy with an independent judiciary. Martial law has not been imposed since the return to civilian rule in 1990, and the Constitution of Bangladesh remains the supreme law of the land.