Slogans in Parliament inappropriate, non-traditional: Speaker Hafiz

Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed observed that while walking out of the House is a common democratic practice, shouting slogans inside the chamber is “inappropriate” and a departure from parliamentary tradition.

The newly-appointed speaker made these remarks while speaking to reporters after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar this morning (13 March). He was joined by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal.

Addressing the disruption during the first session of the 13th Parliament yesterday (12 March), when opposition lawmakers from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies staged a walkout during President Mohammed Shahbuddin’s address, the speaker said, “Walkouts are a conventional practice; we [BNP] also did it when we were in the opposition.

“However, shouting slogans is not appropriate; it is outside the customs of the parliament,” he added.

He noted that as many lawmakers were elected for the first time, it might take them some time to internalise parliamentary norms.

“What they have done is within their rights, and we hope they will not go beyond that in the future,” he added.

Reflecting on the nation’s political journey, Speaker Hafiz Uddin stated that the democratic system was regained through immense sacrifice after a 17-year struggle.

He credited the July Uprising for ousting the previous “autocratic and mafia-led” regime.

The speaker emphasised that the primary goal of the Parliament is to build a discrimination-free and prosperous Bangladesh.

He called upon all democratic forces to remain united to ensure that “mafia rule” is never rehabilitated in the country.

“We expect that both sides [of the Parliament] will work together to lead Bangladesh toward development and fulfil the people’s dreams,” he said.

Regarding the role of the chair, the speaker likened himself and the deputy speaker to “umpires in a cricket match,” pledging to remain strictly neutral in conducting house proceedings.

The speaker and deputy speaker arrived at the memorial at around 10:15am, laid wreaths at the altar, and stood in solemn silence before signing the official visitors’ book.