Lawmakers from both the ruling alliance and the opposition yesterday criticised Transparency International Bangladesh, demanding an apology from TIB for its recent report on the effectiveness of the parliament.
Veteran Awami League MP Suranjit Sengupta warned the corruption watchdog that failure to apologise within the next three days would result in the organisation’s suspension.
“I want to give you [TIB] three days to bow down and seek apology and promise that you will not never talk about parliament and constitution again. Otherwise, that NGO TIB will not exist.. This parliament has the power,” said Suranjit, also the chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law Ministry.
On October 25, a report by the TIB said the desired effectiveness of the national parliament was under question due to the unprecedented appendage of the so-called opposition party.
Standing at point of order, opposition leader Rawshan Ershad first raised the issue of TIB, questioning the relevancy of the watchdog’s statement.
The former first lady also said the TIB’s statements had undermined the citizens, as lawmakers are representatives of the people.
Her criticisms were echoed by Suranjit, who said: “Our constitution is not only a paper; constitution and parliament are synonyms... If anyone violates constitution or speaks against constitution, he will be charged with sedition. The TIB’s comment is seditious. Honourable law minister, make a law on sedition. Otherwise illiterate doctorates will not understand law and parliament.”
Regarding a recent meeting with TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Suranjit said: “You [Iftekharuzzaman] are an educated person. You know parliamentary committee is a mini-parliament. On the other hand, you have said parliament is a theatre of puppets. You have held meeting with me, so you have danced monkey dance here.”
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed also demanded that TIB leaders are summoned before the parliament’s privilege committee for finding out about their working areas and funding process.
“When trial on war criminals is going on, they [TIB] made such a statement. When BNP-Jamaat launched destruction, did they say anything then?” Tofail added.
Other lawmakers who joined the criticism of the TIB yesterday included Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, independent lawmaker Rustam Ali Farazi, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal lawmaker Mainuddin Khan Badal, Jatiya Party lawmaker Kazi Firoz Rashid and ruling party lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad.