If rules are violated, this parliament will not last long: Speaker

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikram) has expressed concern over the disruption and uproar in parliament, with members interrupting each other's speeches. Urging adherence to parliamentary procedure, he warned, "If these rules and laws are violated, this parliament will not last long."

He made these remarks while presiding over the third session of parliament on Thursday, August 27.

The Speaker said, "I am worried about the future of this parliament. The way attempts have been made today to disrupt members' opportunities to speak is not a good sign for the house."

He said democracy had been achieved after much struggle, and it was the responsibility of every member to ensure its continuity. He also called upon members to read the rules of procedure of parliament.

The Speaker said, "When the Speaker speaks, everyone must sit and listen. If these rules are not followed, if they are violated, then this parliament will not last long."

Earlier, during supplementary questions, Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah of the National Citizens' Party raised the issue of the ban on music, cinema and boat racing in Brahmanbaria and questioned the overall law and order situation. He asked whether the Home Minister had succeeded in improving law and order in the past six months.

In response, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said, "Mr Speaker, I could not understand whether this is a question or a lecture from Palton."

Following the Home Minister's remarks, an uproar erupted in the house. At one point, he said, "If we are not allowed to speak, then what is the point of freedom of speech?"

Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman protested the Home Minister's comments, saying that if such remarks were made, there was no need to speak in parliament. He also demanded that the Home Minister express regret.

Later, the Speaker called on members to remain calm, saying that everyone has the freedom to speak in parliament. "One member can respond to another's statement with logic, but no one's freedom of speech can be taken away," he said.

He added, "You cannot silence the voice of justice with noise. Let me conduct the proceedings." The Speaker also mentioned that he was trying to run the house with his own wisdom and understanding, noting that while there had been many bad records in parliament over the past 40 years, the current one was better by comparison.

Urging members from both sides to exercise patience, the Speaker said that even if there are differences of opinion, they must be expressed in accordance with the rules.