Bangladesh speaker expunges remarks on leader's personal life from parliament record

Bangladesh's Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has expunged remarks made about Maulana Mamunul Haque, a leader of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, from the parliamentary record. The decision came after Ahmad himself referred to "dark chapters" of Haque's personal life during a budget discussion last Thursday, and a BNP MP, Khondaker Abu Ashfaque, raised allegations of an extramarital affair and a "mut'a" marriage.

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Maulana Mamunul Haque makes big claims. He says he will topple the government over the budget. But he was caught in Gazipur with a woman, under the guise of a mut’a marriage. What was that really?

During the previous session, Ashfaque had questioned Haque's claims of toppling the government, stating, "He says he will topple the government over the budget. But he was caught in Gazipur with a woman, under the guise of a mut’a marriage. What was that really?" The speaker intervened, suggesting the issue did not need to be part of the parliamentary record and that personal lives should not be discussed.

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This issue about Maulana Mamunul Haque does not need to enter the parliamentary records. Moreover, he has not yet clarified his position. I do not want the dark chapters of a political leader’s personal life to be discussed here.

In today's session, Speaker Ahmad formally removed both Ashfaque's statement and his own reference to Haque's personal life. He explained that making adverse remarks against someone not present to defend themselves is improper. "Since the person concerned has no opportunity to defend himself here, it is improper to make adverse remarks," Ahmad stated while expunging Ashfaque's comments.

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Last Thursday, Khondaker Abu Ashfaque, MP from Dhaka-1, made some comments about Maulana Mamunul Haque’s alleged extramarital affair. That was inappropriate. Since the person concerned has no opportunity to defend himself here, it is improper to make adverse remarks. Therefore, I have expunged Abu Ashfaque’s statement.

He further added, "I also expunged my own remark where I had referred to the dark chapters of someone’s personal life. In future, during budget speeches or other debates, please be cautious. Do not make adverse comments about someone who is not present to defend himself." The speaker emphasized the need for caution and appropriateness in parliamentary discussions, particularly concerning individuals who cannot respond within the parliamentary setting.

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I also expunged my own remark where I had referred to the dark chapters of someone’s personal life. In future, during budget speeches or other debates, please be cautious. Do not make adverse comments about someone who is not present to defend himself.