Speaker assures MP Hanzala of looking into ‘militant tagging' incident

National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Thursday assured Islamist lawmaker Saeed Uddin Ahmed Hanzala of considering his demand of launching a probe into a recent incident, where he was allegedly mocked as a “militant.”

The parliament would consider the probe, the Speaker told Hanzala, a leader of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, urging him to submit a notice to this end.

Speaking at the parliament on Thursday, the Madaripur-1 lawmaker claimed that he attended the funeral prayers of the speaker’s recently demised wife, Dilara Hafiz, at the South Plaza of the Parliament on 30 March.

While entering the area, someone from behind referred to Hanzala, saying “there goes the militant lawmaker.”

Initially, he decided not to pay attention to the disparaging remark. However, a social media storm over the issue prompted him to take it seriously.

He said that the remark against a serving lawmaker in the parliament area not only dishonours him but also disparages the parliament itself. He claimed that his white Panjabi and white turban represents the dress worn by Prophet (PBUH) Muhammad, and can in no way be linked to “militancy.”

Hanzala called for identifying the perpetrator through CCTV footage. He also urged the speaker to involve the home minister and the sergeant at arms in the process to ensure its objectivity.