Slogans in JS ‘inappropriate’: Speaker Hafiz

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

The speaker made these remarks on Friday after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar, accompanied by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal.

Reflecting on disruptions during the first session of the 13th Parliament on 12 March, when opposition lawmakers from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and allied parties staged a walkout during President Mohammed Shahbuddin’s address, Hafiz Uddin said, “Walkouts are conventional; we [BNP] also did this when in opposition. However, shouting slogans is not appropriate; it is outside parliamentary customs.”

He acknowledged that many MPs are newly elected and may take 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.

The speaker highlighted the nation’s democratic journey, noting that democracy was restored through immense sacrifice after 17 years of struggle. He credited the July Uprising for ending the previous “autocratic and mafia-led” regime.

Hafiz Uddin stressed that Parliament’s primary goal is to build a discrimination-free and prosperous Bangladesh and called on all democratic forces to remain united to prevent a return of “mafia rule.” He also urged both sides of the House to cooperate to achieve development and fulfil the people’s aspirations.

On the role of the chair, the speaker likened himself and the deputy speaker to “umpires in a cricket match,” committing to strict neutrality in conducting parliamentary proceedings.

Earlier in the day, the speaker and deputy speaker arrived at the memorial around 10:15 a.m., laid wreaths, observed a moment of silence, and signed the official visitors’ book.