‘It’s parliament, not Shahbagh,’ speaker tells MP Hasnat in heated session

A heated debate in parliament has led Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad to warn MP Abul Hasnat, popularly known as Hasnat Abdullah, telling him the chamber is not Shahbagh but parliament, as tensions rose over the July Uprising Memorial Museum Bill.

The exchange took place on Friday evening during a prolonged debate over amendments to the bill, allegations of a breach of understanding, and the future of remaining ordinances.

The comment came amid disruptions in the session, when Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury placed the bill before the House.

After being tabled, the bill was taken up for immediate consideration.

A parliamentary special committee had earlier recommended passing 98 ordinances issued during the interim government unchanged, including this one.

Three amendments were later introduced to Clause 8, and the bill was passed in revised form.

Earlier in the debate, the speaker referred to cooperation between the treasury and Opposition benches, saying a “rare” level of understanding had been seen despite a large number of bills being passed.

He said the current parliament is more “tolerant and constructive” compared with previous ones.

As he called for maintaining that environment, Hasnat stood up from his seat and raised objections, triggering noise in the chamber.

The speaker addressed him directly: “Mr Abdullah, this is not Shahbagh Square. This is parliament. You must wait patiently and listen.”

The shouting continued even as the presiding officer carried on.

He said opportunities for oral statements in parliament were limited, and members should submit written notices if they had objections.

“Submit notices, we will adjudicate on the notices,” he added.