Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana on Sunday sharply criticised the government in Parliament, accusing it of repeatedly denying a fuel shortage despite widespread public hardship, with motorists reportedly queuing for kilometres outside filling stations late into the night.
Raising the issue during an urgent public importance discussion under Rule 71, the Brahmanbaria-2 MP referred to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore to illustrate what she described as a delayed acknowledgment of the crisis.
Quoting Tagore, she compared the government’s stance to admitting a problem only after persistently denying its existence.
She told the House that for weeks, people had been standing in long queues, sometimes until midnight, yet failing to obtain fuel.
Rumeen Farhana also criticised ministers who had previously claimed in Parliament that there was no fuel shortage, questioning the credibility of such statements.
The MP further challenged recent government measures, including early closure of markets and proposals to reduce office working days, arguing that these steps contradict official claims that there is no crisis.
“If there is no fuel shortage, then why are such measures being taken?” she asked.
Calling for transparency, Rumeen Farhana urged the energy ministry to disclose current fuel reserves, including octane and diesel stocks, and explain the supply disruptions at petrol stations.
Her speech triggered protests from treasury bench members, creating a tense atmosphere in the House. The Speaker later called for order and urged lawmakers to maintain discipline.
Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman criticised the conduct, saying interruptions during a member’s speech undermine parliamentary decorum and expressing concern over the treatment of Rumeen Farhana.
Meanwhile, Gazipur-4 MP Salah Uddin highlighted the wider impact of the energy crisis, noting that residents in Kapasia are experiencing 10 to 12 hours of load-shedding daily, affecting healthcare, agriculture and students preparing for exams.
He also raised concerns about procurement irregularities and called for effective measures to address the issue.
The debate underscored growing tensions in Parliament over the country’s fuel and energy situation.
