Hasnat says BCB turned to 'Baper doa cricket board', Salahuddin says no room for 'pocket committees'

Parliament witnessed a heated exchange today (8 April) between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah over the newly formed committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). 

The debate erupted during the afternoon session on the 11th day of the first parliamentary session as the House discussed the July Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Act, 2026.

Hasnat Abdullah remarked on the current state of cricket governance, alleging that the board has fallen victim to "blatant politicisation." During his speech, he compared the board's structure to a family-run enterprise, remarking that as part of a "naked display of favouritism," the Bangladesh Cricket Board has been turned into a "Baper Doa" [Father's Blessing] Cricket Board.

Responding to the criticism, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed defended the board's formation, asserting that it was structured professionally and remains entirely free from political influence. 

Salahuddin strongly warned that the BCB should be made free from political influence and a professional institute.

The minister retorted that the BCB is not a transport stand where "Baper Doa" or "Mayer Doa" style pocket committees will be allowed to run things.

What did the home minister say?

The home minister defended the newly formed BCB, saying a "pocket committee" formed through abuse of power had been removed and that the country's cricket is now in safe hands under internationally renowned cricketers like Tamim Iqbal.

He alleged that during the previous interim administration, the then sports adviser had forcibly influenced district-level cricket bodies, ignoring High Court directives and taking control of the board unilaterally. An investigation committee led by the sports ministry, he said, uncovered serious irregularities.

"We have dissolved that 'pocket committee' and brought in Tamim Iqbal. We want to take the country's cricket to new heights on the global stage," he said.

The minister also touched on broader political issues, accusing the Awami League of acting like "invaders" during the July mass uprising and vowing legal and constitutional protection for those involved in the movement.

He announced plans to restructure the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), saying a stronger body would be formed where cases such as enforced disappearances could be tried directly under the ICT Act, with penalties ranging from life imprisonment to death.

Criticising alleged past interference in institutions, he said those responsible for "economic chaos" in Bangladesh Bank and the use of force in universities would be held accountable.

What did Hasnat Abdullah say?

Before the minister's address, Hasnat accused the government of "blatantly politicising" constitutional institutions, claiming that Bangladesh Bank had already been taken over and that the BCB had effectively become a "Baper Doa Cricket Board."

Referring to provisions in the proposed July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Act, 2026, Hasnat said the definition of "commission" as the National Human Rights Commission raises concerns about impartiality.

He noted that the bill distinguishes between killings committed for narrow political or personal interests and those carried out in the name of restoring democratic order.

The key question, he argued, is who determines such distinctions. Under the proposed framework, that authority would rest with the NHRC, making indemnity decisions dependent on it.

He warned that if the commission continues under the 2009 legal framework, it would remain under government control and could be used to suppress opposition and dissent.

"It is essential to settle the NHRC law before passing this bill," he said.