'Hurting MP's Image': JS passes notice over Observer news report
In a rare instance, parliament last night adopted a notice on violation of Awami League lawmaker Enamul Haque's privilege and sent it to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Privileges.
In the notice, the ruling party lawmaker from Rajshahi-4 said Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, editor of The Daily Observer, “tarnished his image” at home and abroad by running a news on January 23 under the headline “Police await PM's order to crack down on drug lords”.
Enamul said the newspaper mentioned several lawmakers' names, including his, and published their photographs only to “defame them in society”.
The House adopted the notice by a unanimous voice vote with thumping of desks by the ruling, opposition and other MPs.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, also the chairman of the standing committee on privileges, sent the proposal to the parliamentary watchdog.
Sources at the parliament secretariat said the fifth parliament (1991-1996) last time sent a proposal to the House's privileges committee.
Then AL MP Salahuddin Yusuf raised a notice on violation of his privilege claiming that he was not allowed to use the VIP lounge of then Zia International Airport.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin after the question-answer session announced that she received a notice from Enamul on violation of his privilege, with the newspaper clipping attached to it.
The Speaker then allowed Enamul to raise his notice under section 166 (1) of the rules of procedure of parliament.
The 166 (1) says, “If the Speaker holds that the matter proposed to be discussed is in order, he shall, after the questions and before the Orders of the Day are entered upon, call upon the member concerned who shall rise in his place and while asking for leave to raise the question of privilege, make a short statement relevant thereto.”
Describing his notice, Enamul said a section of newspapers has started to “malign lawmakers and politicians' image” when the country is heading towards progress under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
Pointing to media reports on late AL MP Manzurul Islam Liton of Gaibandha-1 who was killed on December 31 inside his village home, Enamul said, “media created the plot” to kill Liton through running false news against him over firing shots in the air in self-defence.
He demanded that the Speaker summon chiefs of newspapers who were “involved in character assassinations of MPs and politicians” and quiz them on their “false, fabricated and biased reports”.
“They would be punished if they fail to produce evidence in support of their news,” Enamul urged.
He also supported AL MP Shamim Osman who on Wednesday blasted The Daily Star and the Prothom Alo for running “false reports” on Liton and the seven-murder in Narayanganj respectively.
On The Daily Observer's news, Enamul demanded that Speaker summon and quiz Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, also the prime minister's media adviser.
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