The opposition parties in Parliament at a meeting yesterday reiterated they would not attend the session unless Information Minister Nazmul Huda apologised and the Speaker allowed a general discussion on the massacre of Muslims in Hebron.
Nazmul Huda should seek unqualified apology and the Hebron issue must be discussed In Parliament — these are our two preconditions to attend the session." Abdus Samad Azad. Deputy Leader of the Opposition told newsmen at a press briefing at his parliament office.
He announced the decision after a meeting of the opposi-
tion group leaders.
The Jatiya Party’s parlla mentary chief Moudud Ahmed, the Jamaat's Maulana Abdus Sobhan. the Workers Party's Rashed Khan Menon, the Ganatantrl Party's Suranjit Sengupta. Shamsuddoha of the CPB and Tofael Ahmed and Mohammad Nasim of the Awami League were present at the briefing. According to sources. Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury of the NDP and Maulana Obidul Huq of the IOJ also attended the opposition meeting.
The opposition parties staged a walk out on Tuesday tn protest against some comments of • the Information Minister, which the opposition alleged had hurt their religious sentiments.
"The ruling party is creating all these crises but the Leader of the House seems to be unconcerned." Samad Azad, flanked by Moudud Ahmed and Maulana Sobhan. told the re-
The opposition leaders also rejected the Foreign Minister's statement in the House yesterday saying "it proved the justification of our demand for a general discussion on the Hebron issue."
Samad Azad also termed the Foreign Minister's statement as 'untrue' as he (foreign minister) did not meet the mission chiefs of the Islamic countries in Dhaka as claimed In his statement.
UNB adds: Jatiya Party leader Moudud Ahmed rejected Mostaflzur Rahjnan's statement in Parliament calling it "disappointing."
Tie also called untrue the foreign minister's claim that he had discussed the Hebron incident with Ambassadors of Muslim countries here at an if-tar party on February 28.
Referring to Deputy Leader Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury’s comment that such incident's ktook place in the past and no question of seeking apology was raised at that time, Moudud said the information .minister's derogatory remarks hurting the religious sentiment cannot be compared .with any other incidents. .
This is much more Important. It is linked with religious sentiment and it is an international and humanitarian issue."
Jamaat leaded Maulana Abdus Sobhan demanded that the Infonriation Minister seek unconditional apology not only in Parliament but also to the .. whole nation. He condemned Huda for his reported statement outside the House that . they (opposition) have no religious feeling and the question of hurting their sentiment
does not arise.
Sobhan also rejected the arguments of Badruddoza Chowdhury as an eyewash.
Rashed Khan Menon said that the government's attitude demonstrates that It has surrendered to the American imperialism and Jewism. "We want to know what "foreign policy the government is now pursuing. We want to find out Its weaknesses."
Menon said the Information Minister's remarks have not only hurt the opposition but members of the treasury benches also. Quoting press reports, he said Major (rtd) Akteruzzaman rushed to the information minister to protest his remarks while another BNP MP Ziaul Haq openly said that they feel embarrassed by the remarks of certain ministers.
The minister (Huda) has committed offence by making such derogatory remarks. Menon said.
Suranjit Sengupta said the opposition could demand the expulsion- of the Information Minister under rule 15 and 16 of the Rules of Procedure but we only asked him to tender apology.
Referring to the -Prime Minister's silence on such an important issue, he said. "Whjit does she lead as the leader of the House? Parliament cannot be run by a runner as we see in the.cricket match. She must be present and run the House."
Shamsuddoha of CPB expressed his dismay as the government is giving protection to the Information Minister instead of taking action against him.