Rumin Farhana alleges verbal abuse in parliament, says it violates norms

Brahmanbaria-2 MP Rumin Farhana has alleged that she was verbally abused by several members of parliament while she was speaking in the National Parliament. She said such behaviour does not fall within parliamentary norms and obstructs the environment for expressing dissent in parliament. She made the remarks while participating in the discussion on the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Bill, 2026 during the third session of the 13th National Parliament on Thursday, September 10.

Rumin Farhana said that given the situation she faced in parliament the previous day, it did not seem possible for any dissent to be recorded there.

She also alleged that after her speech, several MPs around her verbally abused her.

She said if anyone disagrees with a speech, they can stand up and respond after the speech is over. But abusing someone during or after a speech does not fall within any parliamentary norms.

Emphasising freedom of expression in parliament, she said a parliament will have government party members, opposition members and independent MPs, and each may hold differing views. Every MP should have the freedom to express those views.

Referring to her previous parliamentary experience, Rumin Farhana said that in the 2018 parliament, she faced a similar situation when she stood alone to speak on behalf of BNP. If no minimum change comes even after a new parliament is established through votes at the cost of people's lives, then questions remain over the necessity of being in parliament merely to cast a 'no' vote as the opposition.

Later, Rumin Farhana spoke on the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Bill. While welcoming the initiative to abolish RAB and form a new force, she cautioned that the new force should not become a new version of RAB simply through a change of name and uniform.

Rumin Farhana said people have experienced harassment, torture and fear at the hands of law enforcement agencies in the past. It must be ensured that such a situation does not recur with any new state force in the future.

She called for running all state forces, including the police and RAB, free from political influence and politicisation, and within the bounds of law, rules and discipline. She also noted that the role of the government and the Ministry of Home Affairs is important in this regard.

Following Rumin Farhana's speech, the Speaker also expressed the expectation of freedom of speech in parliament and of not interrupting each other's speeches. She expressed hope that no obstruction would be created by the other side when government and opposition members are speaking.

Earlier, the SRB Bill was passed by voice vote amid opposition objections. The bill provides for abolishing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and forming the Special Response Battalion (SRB) as a specialised unit under the police.