Speaker urges running Parliament with respect for dissenting views

The fourth session of the 13th National Parliament began on Monday (9 November). Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, chaired the first day's sitting, which began at 3:30 pm.

In his opening speech, the Speaker said the beauty of parliamentary democracy lies in the coexistence of dissenting opinions and different paths. He urged all to find solutions to problems through discussion and to uphold parliamentary norms, decency and mutual respect, giving priority to the national interest.

The Speaker also called on members of Parliament to play a responsible role in fulfilling the expectations of the people.

He said the National Parliament is the highest institutional expression of the sovereignty of the people, their democratic aspirations and public opinion. The struggle to establish democracy and voting rights in the history of Bangladesh has been long and eventful.

The Speaker said that for 17 long years, the Awami League government had trampled democracy in the country through dummy elections, injustice, oppression and extrajudicial killings. The mass uprising of July 2024 once again set the march of democracy in motion in the country. He remarked that no real development is possible in any country without democracy.

He said the people's expectations of the National Parliament are vast. Respecting the people's verdict, upholding the dignity of the Constitution, establishing the rule of law, ensuring accountability and playing an effective role in protecting people's rights are among the foremost duties of this Parliament.

Discussion, logic, mutual respect and responsible expression of opinion are the main strength of parliamentary democracy, the Speaker said.

Referring to the great Liberation War of 1971, he said that through the war we achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. The history of our independence is a glorious chapter of sacrifice, courage and patriotism. This history is the foundation of our national identity and a source of inspiration for future generations.

He further said that the mass uprising of July-August 2024 is an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh. The uprising, with the participation of students and the people, brought forward anew the people's democratic aspirations, their resolve to establish rights and their expectation of building a discrimination-free state.

At the end of his speech, the Speaker prayed to Almighty Allah for Bangladesh to move forward on the path of peace, stability, justice and prosperity. He also prayed for strength and wisdom for the members of Parliament to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to them properly.

In the same sitting, the Speaker announced the names of five members of the panel of chairmen to conduct the fourth session. The nominated members are Md Shahjahan (Noakhali-4), Sarwar Jamal Nizam (Chattogram-12), Muhammad Naushad Zamir (Panchagarh-1), Shahajahan Chowdhury (Chattogram-15) and Rasheda Begum Hira, member from a reserved seat.

According to the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, members of the panel of chairmen will preside over the sittings of Parliament.