Embattled Ranga offers unconditional apology

Opposition Chief Whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga on Wednesday extended unconditional apology for making derogatory remarks on slain pro-democracy activist Noor Hossain.

Ranga offered the apology as he stood in the House to make his personal statement under section 274 of the rules of procedure.

While speaking at a Jatiya Party meeting at its Banani office on November 10, Ranga said Noor Hossain, a young pro-democracy activist who sacrificed his life on November 10, 1987 during the movement to end the autocratic regime of HM Ershad, a Yaba and Phensedyl addict.

The remarks sparked widespread criticisms. Some ruling and opposition MPs also expressed their resentments over the issue in parliament.

The opposition chief whip while speaking in parliament said he made a mistake and for that he already apologised to Noor Hossain's family members.    

About his remark over Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ranga said if he had said anything wrong about Bangabandhu then he is also extending 'unconditional apology' for that.

But, he said, he did not call Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 'corrupt and terrorist'.

"Again, if I made any mistake I'm offering unconditional apology," he added.

Ranga said he did not want to make any remark that undermines someone. "I'm shouldering the responsibility for my remarks… I may make mistakes while I was delivering my speech (at the party programme)," he said.    

On Tuesday, Awami League MPs Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Tahzeeb Alam Siddique, Jatiya Party MPs Kazi Feroz Rashid and Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Gonoforum MP Sultan Mohammed Mansur and Tarikat Federation Chairman Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary raised the issue in parliament and fiercely criticised Ranga.