Speaker expunges his own remarks, BNP MP's comments on Mamunul
Hafiz says it is inappropriate to make adverse remarks in parliament about individuals who have no opportunity to defend themselves on the floor of the house
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has expunged remarks made by BNP lawmaker Khondoker Abu Ashfaque in parliament regarding Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque's alleged extramarital relationship.
The speaker also removed his own comments on the matter from the parliamentary proceedings.
The speaker disclosed the decision in parliament today (21 June).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The controversy stems from a speech delivered by Dhaka-1 lawmaker Khondoker Abu Ashfaque during the budget discussion on 18 June.
Referring to Mamunul, the MP said the leader was making strong statements about toppling the government over the budget and questioned an earlier incident in Gazipur involving a woman and what he described as a "muta marriage".
At the time, Speaker Hafiz intervened and said the issue did not need to be included in the parliamentary record.
He had also commented that Mamunul had not yet fully clarified his position and that he did not wish to see the "dark chapter" of a political leader's life discussed in parliament.
Addressing lawmakers today, the speaker said the remarks made by Ashfaq regarding Mamunul's alleged extramarital affair were inappropriate.
"Since the person concerned has no opportunity to come to parliament and defend himself, it is improper to make adverse comments about him," the speaker said.
He added that, for the same reason, his own remarks referring to a person's "dark chapter" had also been expunged from the official proceedings.
The speaker urged lawmakers to exercise caution during budget discussions and other parliamentary speeches in the future, saying members should avoid making adverse comments about individuals who cannot appear before the house to respond.
Claim about freedom fighter's son also to be expunged
During a point of order, Kishoreganj-2 lawmaker Md Jalal Uddin alleged that Nilphamari-4 MP Abdul Muntakim had falsely claimed during a budget discussion on 14 June that he was the son of a martyred freedom fighter.
According to Jalal, the claim was incorrect because Muntakim's father is still alive. He demanded that the statement be removed from the parliamentary record.
In response, the speaker said the matter did not constitute a point of order. However, he noted that the concerned lawmaker had met him and explained that the statement had been made inadvertently.
As the MP had expressed regret for the mistake, the speaker said it would be treated as an unintentional error or a "slip of the tongue" and would therefore be expunged from the proceedings.
Speaker rejects objection over opposition leader's remarks
Later, Munshiganj-3 lawmaker Md Quamruzzaman alleged that Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, during a recent visit to Munshiganj, had insulted local residents by making comments about extortion and land grabbing.
The MP argued that the remarks had undermined the district's heritage and said he intended to challenge the basis of those comments when the opposition leader attends parliament.
The speaker, however, rejected the matter as a valid point of order.
"Bangladesh has freedom of speech and politicians often make various remarks outside parliament. It is better to respond to statements made outside parliament outside parliament," he said.
He added that lawmakers could raise objections under parliamentary rules only if objectionable remarks were made inside the house or if an individual's name was mentioned during parliamentary proceedings.
