Uproar in JS
The BNP-led opposition lawmakers squabbled with Speaker Abdul Hamid yesterday for permission to speak on points of order, plunging the House into chaos.
The situation worsened as the treasury bench deputies began countering them.
Many lawmakers from either side leaped to their feet and sneered at each other.
As the speaker tried to restore order, several BNP lawmakers refused to obey him. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne in particular was more aggressive as he was shouting all along louder than his peers.
Irritated, Hamid said, “Things cannot go on like this.
“Mr. Anne, I am sorry. I cannot accept your behaviour. You are shouting even when I am speaking. It's a parliamentary norm that everybody hears when the speaker speaks.”
Censured, the BNP lawmaker took his seat, and so did others.
“I expect fair conduct and decent language from all of you--both treasury and opposition,” Hamid continued.
Earlier, the speaker decried the unruly behaviour of some lawmakers and use of indecent language on the floor on March 3. He said the way some lawmakers conduct themselves is shameful.
But again on March 10, treasury and opposition lawmakers wrangled bitterly, leaving the House in disorder for over five minutes.
Yesterday it all began during the question-answer session.
As Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui said the BNP-led government had closed the Adamji and other jute mills at the expense of national interests, the opposition lawmakers broke into noisy protests.
In response, the jute minister said, “Honourable speaker, even if they all shout together their voice won't be able to down mine.”
Without mentioning any names, he said, “They shut down Adamji. Who are they? They are the confederates of the defeated force. They are the beneficiaries of Bangabandhu murder. They are the inheritors of the killers.”
Soon the opposition members stood on their seats and protested the minister's remarks.
Immediately after the question-answer hour ended at 7:00pm, the speaker gave floor to opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque to speak on a point of order.
But the opposition deputies were still on their feet yelling.
As they drew the speaker's attention to the minister's comments, Hamid said, “I can't censure a minister. What can I do if a minister says something while answering questions?”
Even after that, some opposition MPs kept clamouring for the floor and did not allow their chief whip to speak.
Trying to keep order, the speaker urged them to calm down.
But as they disregarded Hamid's call, the treasury bench members began shouting back at them.
Despite repeated requests from the speaker, the opposition chief whip did not take the floor letting the bedlam continue.
Things settled down only after Anee was cautioned. Farroque started speaking at 7:07pm.
He blasted the government for creating obstacles to holding party programmes in front of BNP central office and for what he said was filing case against him.
Taking the floor on a point of order, treasury bench chief whip Abdus Shahid came down hard on the opposition lawmakers for their conduct.
Comments