Jamaat MP criticises postponement of parliamentary discussion on border killings, push-ins

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman has strongly criticised the postponement of a scheduled parliamentary discussion on alleged push-ins from India and border killings by the Border Security Force (BSF).

The member of parliament from Dhaka-14 raised the issue on a point of order shortly after today's (14 June) parliamentary sitting began.

In response, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal said the discussion had been deferred temporarily due to time constraints during the ongoing budget session and assured lawmakers that the matter would be taken up soon.

Addressing the chair, he said he had submitted a notice for a general discussion under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure, seeking effective diplomatic and administrative measures to stop alleged push-ins by the BSF, border killings, and what he described as publicly declared push-in activities by the West Bengal government.

According to Arman, parliament's adjournment branch had informed him in writing that the proposal had been accepted for discussion on Sunday and that copies had been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The issue was also included in the official business agenda circulated after Thursday's (11 June) sitting.

However, he said the matter was removed from a revised agenda issued on Sunday morning. He later received a notification from the adjournment branch stating that the discussion had been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.

Questioning the decision, Arman said, "What could be more important than the blood of our people that such a significant public issue, which is not linked to any party agenda, had to be postponed due to unavoidable circumstances?"

He also sought clarification on when the discussion would be rescheduled.

In response, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal attempted to ease concerns, saying the notice remained under consideration and that the postponement was only temporary.

He noted that parliament is currently occupied with budget-related business and facing time constraints. 

Describing border killings and alleged push-ins as a fundamental and highly important issue, he assured lawmakers that the suspension would be lifted soon and that arrangements would be made for a detailed discussion on the matter.