Photo of Bogura-7 MP brandishing gun on social media goes viral, draws flak

A photo of Bogura-7 lawmaker Md Rezaul Karim Bablu brandishing a newly-purchased gun went viral and drew flak from netizens after it was posted on Facebook.

The photo was later removed after much criticism from different quarters as lawmaker Bablu violated the law, reports our Bogura correspondent.

As per Article 'Ka' of the Firearms Licence, Renewal and Usage Act-2016, a person may own a licensed firearm for his/her personal security, but will not be able to display the weapon in such manner as to cause fear or annoyance to others.

Legal actions are to be taken against anyone violating the law, according to a notification of the home ministry in this regard. 

Talking to The Daily Star, Bablu denied having any Facebook profile and posting any such photos on social media.

When asked why he flouted the law despite being a lawmaker, he said, "Actually I purchased a firearm from Ali Arms in Gulshan the day before yesterday. Possibly, any of my followers may have taken the photo and posted it on social media."

Although he initially said he did not see the photo that went viral, he later said, "I did not purchase the firearm in the photo you are referring to, but another one. I recently got a licence to use firearms."

"Bogura-7 lawmaker Rezaul Karim Bablu posted a photo of himself holding a gun on his Facebook profile. I have downloaded and saved the image, which the MP later removed from his profile following criticism," said Chapal Saha, bureau chief (Northern Region) of ATN News, a private TV channel.

Bablu was elected lawmaker from Bogura-7 (Shajahanpur-Gabtoli upazila) constituency in the 2018 national elections after he contested as an independent candidate.

Prior to this, he worked as a journalist in local media houses.