Home Minister's remarks spark uproar in parliament

Two remarks by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed triggered protests and uproar from opposition lawmakers in parliament yesterday, forcing Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed to intervene several times.

The incident occurred during the third session of the 13th parliament as Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah and Jamaat-e-Islami MP Shafiqul Islam Masud questioned the government on law and order, attacks on lawmakers, alleged arrests of opposition activists and public safety.

'Paltan speech' remark sparks protest

Responding to Hasnat's supplementary question on law and order and restrictions on cultural activities in Brahmanbaria, which the minister had described as a cultural district, Salahuddin said, "I couldn't understand whether this is a question or a speech at Paltan."

Hasnat said long-standing cultural programmes had been stopped and restrictions imposed on cinemas and other activities. He also asked whether Salahuddin had restored law and order and strengthened the rule of law during his six months in office.

Salahuddin objected to the question's framing, saying law-and-order improvement and the absence of cinemas were separate issues, and questioned the source of Hasnat's statistics on killings and injuries. His "Paltan speech" remark drew immediate protests.
 
'Shahbagh speech and parliament speech are not the same'

Masud said people were being robbed at gunpoint and lawmakers from both sides had been attacked. He alleged that suspects in attack cases remained free while opposition activists were detained in false cases.

He asked what the government was doing to curb armed robbery and arrest those accused of attacking MPs.

Salahuddin sought specific case details, saying parliamentary questions must be specific and distinct from political speeches. He then said, "Speaking at Shahbagh Square and speaking in parliament are not the same thing."

Opposition MPs protested. Salahuddin said he had not targeted any particular MP but later withdrew the remark, saying, "Yes, I withdraw it. I withdraw it. Okay."

Opposition demands apology

The uproar continued, prompting the speaker to repeatedly ask MPs to return to their seats and let the minister finish.

Opposition leader Shafikur Rahman accused Salahuddin of repeatedly speaking dismissively to lawmakers since the session began and said yesterday's remarks were not isolated. Criticising his "teacher-like" attitude, he said, "We did not come here to be his students."

He demanded an apology and removal of the remarks from the parliamentary record.

Speaker warns over parliament's future

Hafiz Uddin urged lawmakers to follow parliamentary rules and conventions, saying the House must reflect the people's hopes and aspirations.

"I am deeply saddened to see growing intolerance among some members," he said, adding that he would review the minister's remarks and expunge anything deemed unparliamentary. Recalling past turmoil, including the killing of a speaker, he urged restraint.

"I am somewhat concerned about the future of this parliament," Hafiz Uddin said, warning that blocking one another from speaking was "not a good sign". "If you violate these rules and conventions, parliament will not last long," he cautioned.

He nevertheless expressed optimism about the current House, saying it had been elected by the people through a proper election.