Row erupts in parliament as ruling party MP terms July Charter debate 'unnecessary'

A heated exchange broke out in parliament today (27 April)
after Gazipur-2 lawmaker Manjurul Karim Roni from the ruling party described
ongoing discussions on the July Charter as unnecessary, prompting strong
protests from opposition members.
The
incident took place during the discussion on the motion of thanks on the
president's speech, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair.
Taking
part in the debate, Roni said controversy over "an unnecessary July
Charter" had been created from the very first day of the current
parliament.
Addressing opposition leaders, he said, "If you claim
the July movement as a sole achievement, it hurts us. We were also there and we
lost more than 400 fellow activists."
He
further claimed that while parties such as the Awami League, Jatiya Party and
Jamaat-e-Islami had "blood on their hands", the BNP did not.
He
also questioned the political credentials of opposition members, saying their
"three to four years of rhetoric" could not match his party's 17
years of street movements.
His
remarks triggered immediate protests from opposition lawmakers, who stood up
and shouted in unison.
Chapainawabganj-3
lawmaker Md Nurul Islam took the floor and said it was unacceptable to call
debate on the July Charter unnecessary, given that the current government
emerged from the July mass uprising.
"Dismissing
the July Charter is an insult to the mass uprising and the sacrifices of the martyrs,"
he said.
The
chamber turned tense as both sides engaged in loud exchanges, forcing the
Speaker to intervene.
The
speaker urged members to address the chair while speaking and reminded them
that parliament represents diverse political views.
"Not
everyone will have the same perspective. The beauty of democracy lies in
differences of opinion. Members are free to express their views openly in
parliament," he said.
As
the uproar continued, he asked members to remain silent when the chair was
speaking and maintain decorum.
Addressing
the opposition, he said if they disagreed with any speech, they would have the
opportunity to respond in their own turn and present their views in a proper
and respectful manner.
He
then announced a break for Maghrib prayers.
After
the break, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni told parliament that he had spoken to
Roni, who clarified that he meant "unnecessary debate" should be
avoided. He also suggested that the remark could be expunged if needed.
Deputy
Speaker Kaisar Kamal, who was in the chair at the time, said the matter would
be reviewed and appropriate steps taken.
















