'A gift for turning lies to truth': Shafiqur's sharp dig at home minister ignites heated exchange at parliament

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has formally requested the speaker to expunge remarks made by Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman during a heated parliamentary session today (2 April).

The confrontation erupted during the post-question hour when Shafiqur sarcastically claimed the home minister possesses a "wonderful" ability to present truth as lies and vice versa. 

He accused the minister of providing misinformation regarding a previously discussed adjournment motion.

Responding swiftly, Minister Salahuddin Ahmed labeled the use of the word "lie" as unparliamentary and misleading. 

Opposition walks out of parliament over July Charter order, 'misquotation' row

He then urged the speaker to strike the comments from the official record, noting that while he would not have objected to the term "untruth," the word "lie" violates parliamentary decorum.

Earlier today, during the parliamentary session presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Opposition Leader Shafiqur took the floor following the question-and-answer period. 

Addressing the speaker, he said, "The biggest issue is that after we left the parliament yesterday, the home minister made a comment about me out of 'affection.' 

"He claimed that I had stated an untruth. In reality, Allah has gifted him with extraordinary skill. Just like changing a bottle while keeping the material same, he can present the truth as a lie and a lie as the truth quite wonderfully. I have stood up today simply to thank him for that."

At this point, the speaker noted that the matter pertained to the previous day and did not need to be raised anew.

However, Home Minister Salahuddin countered, saying, "At this moment, the Opposition leader has used an unparliamentary word: 'lie.' 

"Had he said 'untruth,' I would not have objected. I request that this be expunged." 

The heated exchange comes a day after opposition lawmakers staged a walkout from the parliamentary session yesterday, alleging a lack in the implementation of the July National Charter and constitutional reform order.

They had also protested what they described as a misquotation of the opposition leader by the law minister, which further fueled tensions in the House.

In this regard, Salahuddin said, "Regarding his [Shafiqur] speech yesterday, I had stated that the Opposition leader presented an untruthful statement here. According to Rule 62, an independent member's adjournment motion was accepted long after the opposition leaders staged a walkout. It was impossible for it to have been read or raised earlier. Therefore, I said his statement yesterday was untrue."

Shafiqur stood up again in response, clarifying, "This is where the confusion lies. The same proposal was brought by an independent member, which appeared yesterday under a different name. The subject matter was identical; only the name had changed. Since I was aware of the previous one, I spoke accordingly. 

"I did not provide any misinformation."