Opposition lawmakers led by Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament of Bangladesh), abruptly walked out of the parliamentary session on Wednesday in protest after the government failed to take a decision on demands related to a citizens’ referendum reform proposal and the formation of parliamentary committees.
The walkout occurred during the session at Sangsad Bhaban when Dr. Rahman rose on a point of order and repeatedly urged that a special parliamentary committee be formed with equal representation from both the government and opposition benches to address the referendum reform proposal and the establishment of the Constitution Reform Council.
Dr. Rahman told the House that such a committee could help properly reflect the aspirations of the people and play an effective role in resolving the ongoing political issues, but he said that no clear decision had been forthcoming from the government side regarding these demands.
Responding to the opposition leader, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the proposal had been given serious consideration and, despite the rarity of accepting adjournment notices in parliamentary history, it was accepted for discussion in the current session. He emphasised that the parliamentary democratic system allows for open discussion and that further opportunities would be provided for detailed dialogue in the future.
However, the opposition remained unsatisfied with the assurances, with Dr. Rahman alleging that an alternative notice had been brought forward to overshadow the main notice by the opposition. He described this as “undermining the will of the people” and a “violation of parliamentary procedure,” and then announced the walkout along with all opposition members present.
During the walkout, Speaker Ahmed noted that under parliamentary rules the opposition had the right to exit the session as a form of protest.
Later in the session, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed addressed the House, saying that walkouts are a normal part of parliamentary culture, but reaffirmed that solutions to disagreements are best achieved through continued discussion.
Parliamentary proceedings continued in the absence of the opposition members following their departure.