PM asks state minister Murad Hassan to resign by Tuesday

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked state minister for information Murad Hassan to resign amid protests and condemnation from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and different political parties, organisations and rights bodies for his derogatory remarks on women.

Confirming the matter, ruling Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader told reporters that he conveyed the message of the prime minister to Murad at 8:00pm.  

The development came hours after the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party demanded the resignation of Murad for using some abusive words against party chairperson Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman.

Murad made the remarks in a social media interview on December 4 that went viral.

In separate statements on Monday, different other organisations and rights groups also condemned Murad saying that his comments on women contradicted his oath as a state minister.

In a statement signed by the party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP termed Murad’s remarks as ‘baseless, politically malicious and anti-women and racist.’

The party also demanded the withdrawal of his remarks and a public apology.

Speaking at a programme in Dhaka, Mirza Fakhrul also sought an explanation from prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Murad’s derogatory remarks.

‘We want to know what your stance on this remark is. You [PM] have to answer,’ Fakhrul said.

Claiming that Murad was once a Chhatra Dal leader, Fakhrul said, ‘It is very  unfortunate that he [Murad] was involved in Chhatra Dal politics. He was publicity affairs secretary of Mymensingh Medical College unit. Later he joined Chhatra League. Shame on him.’

Murad told the BBC Bangla service on Monday that he did not commit any mistake by making the remarks.

The leaders and activists of Juba Dal in Chattogram city on Monday afternoon burnt the effigy of Murad for his derogatory remarks on the opposition leader, her son Tarique and his daughter Zaima.

About one hundred Juba Dal leaders gathered at Kazir Dewri area at about 1:00pm and organised a protest rally. Later, they burnt the effigy of the state minister in the area.

Mosharaf Hossain Dipti, president of Chattogram city unit Juba Dal, told New Age after the rally that the state minister showed he held no respect for women.

‘’The state minister must withdraw his remarks and seek apology to the nation,’ the Juba Dal leader said.

Chattogram north district Juba Dal general secretary SA Murad Chowdhury, Chattogram city unit Juba Dal vice presidents Fazlul Hoque Sumon, Nasir Uddin, joint secretary Mosharaf Hossain, among others, were present at the protest.

Condemning Murad’s remarks, rights group Ain o Salish Kendra in a statement said, ‘We hope that the government would take necessary steps in this regard.’

Samajtantrik Mahila Forum in a statement demanded Murad be removed from the post of state minister post and from the parliament.

It mentioned that former caretaker government advisor Moinul Hosein landed in jail for his derogatory remarks on women, but Murad is still free.

Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal, Sanajtantrik Nari Jote and Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum also issued separate statements condemning the remarks of Murad.

In a press conference, Supreme Court Bar Association secretary Ruhul Kuddus Kajal demanded legal steps against Murad.

He also asked Murad to apologise to the nation within 48-hour for making such indecent and anti-women remarks.

‘Otherwise, a legal action would be taken against him,’ he said.

Kajal said that Murad, a ruling Awami League lawmaker, breached his oath as state minister, under Article 148 of the constitution, by making habitual indecent comments against various personalities, including his political opponents, and conducting other misdeeds.

Earlier on Sunday, Naripokkho, a women’s rights organisation, sought prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s intervention in taking action against Murad.

Naripokkho also said that the person who cannot show minimum respect to women should not be in an important post of the government.

News Courtesy:

https://www.newagebd.net/article/156668/pm-asks-state-minister-murad-hassan-to-resign-by-tuesday