Chaos in JS
Lawmakers use 'abusive' words ignoring Speaker's request
Certain lawmakers of the ruling party and the opposition used "abusive" and "aggressive" words in their speeches in parliament yesterday, ignoring the speaker's repeated calls for restraint.
They used indecent words to launch a broadside against father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, BNP's founder Ziaur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and the sons of Hasina and Khaleda.
Speaker Abdul Hamid, presiding over the sitting, instantly expunged some non-parliamentary and indecent words by Awami League lawmaker Apu Ukil and BNP lawmakers Sheikh Shujat Mia and Rehana Akhtar Ranu.
The speaker said he would examine the lawmakers' deliberations on the thanks giving motion on the president's address and will expunge words, if necessary.
BNP lawmaker Moudud Ahmed took the floor before the discussion and said the opposition lawmakers will walk out of parliament, if indecent words are used against Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.
He said a minister in parliament on Tuesday termed Ziaur Rahman a killer and the opposition lawmakers walked out of the House to protest it.
"We will walk out whenever anyone uses indecent words against my party leaders. But, we will return to the House again," Moudud said.
The BNP lawmaker said he believes their protest will keep ruling party lawmakers from using any "abusive" words.
BNP-led opposition lawmakers on Tuesday walked out of parliament in protest at the jute minister's comment that Ziaur Rahman was involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu.
In response to Moudud's speech, the speaker again urged the lawmakers not use "abusive" and "aggressive" words in their speeches.
He said nobody can term anyone "killer" until the highest court of the land holds the person responsible for a murder.
The speaker said a lawmaker, however, can raise allegations in a decent way if the parliamentarian has information about it.
BNP lawmaker Rehana Akhtar Ranu participated in the discussion and criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wajed Joy. She accused the two of involvement in corruption.
The BNP leader also blasted Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque for the landmark verdict that declared illegal and void the Fifth Amendment Act, which validated the regime of military ruler Ziaur Rahman and others.
State Minister for Law Kamrul Islam came down hard on the main opposition.
Mentioning the US journalist Lawrence Lifschultz's statement to the High Court, the minister said Ziaur Rahman was involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu.
His remark set off an uproar in the House as the opposition lawmakers started shouting in protest at his speech.
Opposition lawmakers launched a blistering attack on the government portraying it as a failed one.
State Minister for Religion Affairs Shahjahan Miah expressed strong disappointment at the languages used by some MPs.
"We all should speak very carefully here to uphold dignity of the House," he said.
Referring to the use of indecent words, AL lawmaker Sohrab Ali Sana said nobody was paying any heed to the speaker's repeated requests.
"People may question our ability to use language while we speak in parliament," AL lawmaker Abdul Mannan said, participating in the discussion.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present in the House yesterday, but the Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia did not join proceedings.
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