Speaker panel named, condolence motion passed as fourth parliamentary session begins

The fourth session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) began on Monday afternoon with the announcement of a five-member panel of chairmen, the adoption of a unanimous condolence motion, and opening remarks by the speaker.

The session began shortly after 3:30pm with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. Just after beginning of the session, the speaker nominated a five-member panel of chairmen to conduct parliamentary proceedings in the absence of the speaker and the deputy speaker.

The panel members are Md Shahjahan of Noakhali-4; Sarwar Jamal Nizam of Chattogram-12; Muhammad Naushad Zamir of Panchagarh-1; Shahjahan Chowdhury of Chattogram-15; and Rasheda Begum Hira, a reserved-seat woman MP.

Later, the House unanimously adopted a condolence motion expressing deep grief over the passing of four former MPs, a former constituent assembly member, and several eminent personalities of the country.

The deceased former MPs include Monowar Hossain Chowdhury, Muhammed Shafiqur Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Abdul Hai.

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Deep condolences were also expressed for former constituent assembly member and freedom fighter Abu Taher Abdul Muntakim.

The motion also remembered Amena Begum, mother of Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid; Maksuda Khanam, mother of Mymensingh-1 MP Mohammad Salman Omar; renowned writer, researcher, and thinker Professor Sayeed Ur Rahman; and prominent journalist Amir Khasru.

Furthermore, the House extended its condolences to the victims of various tragic accidents at home and abroad.

Following the reading of the motion, the House observed a one-minute silence in memory of the deceased, followed by a special prayer (munajat) led by State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaisar.

Delivering his opening statement, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad remarked that the previous Awami League government had completely trampled democracy in the country over the last 17 years through oppression, injustice, and dummy elections.

“The student-led mass uprising of 2024 has marked a fresh beginning for the march of democracy in Bangladesh,” he said, noting that real national development is impossible without functional democracy.

Highlighting the historic significance of popular movements, the speaker stated that parliament remains the highest institutional expression of the public's sovereignty and democratic aspirations.

He underscored that the core strength of parliamentary democracy lies in dialogue, logic, mutual respect, and responsible expression of views.