Daily Prothom Alo comes under fire in Parliament for "fabricated" reports against MPs
The Speaker, Ministers and MPs in Parliament Tuesday came down heavily on a mass-circulated Bangla daily for publishing series of reports over the last few days against the MPs, fearing it might pave the way to grab power by undemocratic forces trampling democracy in the country.
Speaking on a point of order after the Magreb prayer break, Jatiya Party member Mojibul Huq Chunnu drew the attention of the Speaker about the series of reports against MPs published recently in daily Prothom Alo including car imports by the MPs along with insulting cartoons.He said it has been done not only to undermine the lawmakers but also in a planned way as part of a blueprint like that of the conspiracy before the 1/11 changeover in the country.
The Jatiya Party lawmaker demanded a ruling from the Speaker against the daily as well as adoption of a censure motion in parliament against Prothom Alo.
Responding to Mojibul Huq, Speaker Abdul Hamid wondered about the motive behind such reports. "If MPs are made unpopular across the country, there won't be any existence of parliament and democracy. Who will then come to power?" he said."Who are being encouraged by undermining the MPs? It will have to be considered," he told the excited House.
Speaker Abdul Hamid said such reports are unfortunate. "Basically, to undermine the MPs - people's representatives - tantamount to undermining the people."He hoped that the journalists would be careful and more responsible in publishing reports in future.The Speaker said it is not right to make baseless reports which undermine the Speaker, MPs, and as a whole the parliament as well.He described the process of buying duty-free imported cars by the MPs with set value, model and size.
The Speaker mentioned some reports centering him by daily Samokal and daily Amader Samoy.He said Amader Samoy had reported that the Speaker gave 'Chhabok' (sermon) to MPs. The word `chhabok' is discourteous and its use had dishonoured the institution of Speaker as well as parliament.
Speaking on a point of order after the Magreb prayer break, Jatiya Party member Mojibul Huq Chunnu drew the attention of the Speaker about the series of reports against MPs published recently in daily Prothom Alo including car imports by the MPs along with insulting cartoons.He said it has been done not only to undermine the lawmakers but also in a planned way as part of a blueprint like that of the conspiracy before the 1/11 changeover in the country.
The Jatiya Party lawmaker demanded a ruling from the Speaker against the daily as well as adoption of a censure motion in parliament against Prothom Alo.
Responding to Mojibul Huq, Speaker Abdul Hamid wondered about the motive behind such reports. "If MPs are made unpopular across the country, there won't be any existence of parliament and democracy. Who will then come to power?" he said."Who are being encouraged by undermining the MPs? It will have to be considered," he told the excited House.
Speaker Abdul Hamid said such reports are unfortunate. "Basically, to undermine the MPs - people's representatives - tantamount to undermining the people."He hoped that the journalists would be careful and more responsible in publishing reports in future.The Speaker said it is not right to make baseless reports which undermine the Speaker, MPs, and as a whole the parliament as well.He described the process of buying duty-free imported cars by the MPs with set value, model and size.
The Speaker mentioned some reports centering him by daily Samokal and daily Amader Samoy.He said Amader Samoy had reported that the Speaker gave 'Chhabok' (sermon) to MPs. The word `chhabok' is discourteous and its use had dishonoured the institution of Speaker as well as parliament.
http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-30544
Hamid also spoke of a news item published in daily Samokal that MPs are making luxurious foreign tours.
Refuting the report, he said his two tours with funds from parliament related to attending the Speakers conference in India and another conference.
The Speaker said he did not spend all the money (700 dollars besides air fare and hotel rent) for one trip allocated to him. He spent about 300 dollars and returned the rest of the money. Similarly, he also returned the excess amount after the second tour.
The Speaker further said the MPs visit abroad to attend various conferences.
Textile and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqi, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, Suranjit Sengupta, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Moinuddin Khan Badal also took part in the unscheduled debate.
Sheikh Fazlul Kairm Selim said a fresh conspiracy is being hatched by the vested quarter who had conspired for 1/11 changeover.
He said that following the 1/11 changeover, conspiracies were made against politicians. Failing to implement their agenda, now that group is again hatching conspiracy against the Members of Parliament to bring an undemocratic force to power, he alleged.
Latif Siddiqi said: "It has been heard that this particular daily is published funded by a particular agency… their aim is to undermine the government in a planned way with ill motive."
He demanded legal action against Matiur Rahman and wanted the Speaker to summon him to ask about the reports.
Shahjahan Khan came down heavily on Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman describing the daily's role prior to 1/11.
He alleged that Matiur Rahman had involvement in the August 21 grenade attack and he should be brought to book under the laws of the land.
Senior treasury bench member Suranjit Sengupta said the journalists should not be hostile in their attitude though they might criticize.
He said if the word `Chhabok' had been used against the High Court there would be proceedings of contempt of court.
Speaker Abdul Hamid, however, did not give any ruling or decision as demanded by the angry lawmakers.
http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-30544
Hamid also spoke of a news item published in daily Samokal that MPs are making luxurious foreign tours.
Refuting the report, he said his two tours with funds from parliament related to attending the Speakers conference in India and another conference.
The Speaker said he did not spend all the money (700 dollars besides air fare and hotel rent) for one trip allocated to him. He spent about 300 dollars and returned the rest of the money. Similarly, he also returned the excess amount after the second tour.
The Speaker further said the MPs visit abroad to attend various conferences.
Textile and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqi, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, Suranjit Sengupta, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Moinuddin Khan Badal also took part in the unscheduled debate.
Sheikh Fazlul Kairm Selim said a fresh conspiracy is being hatched by the vested quarter who had conspired for 1/11 changeover.
He said that following the 1/11 changeover, conspiracies were made against politicians. Failing to implement their agenda, now that group is again hatching conspiracy against the Members of Parliament to bring an undemocratic force to power, he alleged.
Latif Siddiqi said: "It has been heard that this particular daily is published funded by a particular agency… their aim is to undermine the government in a planned way with ill motive."
He demanded legal action against Matiur Rahman and wanted the Speaker to summon him to ask about the reports.
Shahjahan Khan came down heavily on Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman describing the daily's role prior to 1/11.
He alleged that Matiur Rahman had involvement in the August 21 grenade attack and he should be brought to book under the laws of the land.
Senior treasury bench member Suranjit Sengupta said the journalists should not be hostile in their attitude though they might criticize.
He said if the word `Chhabok' had been used against the High Court there would be proceedings of contempt of court.
Speaker Abdul Hamid, however, did not give any ruling or decision as demanded by the angry lawmakers.
http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-30544
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