Jamaat MPs walk out during President’s speech in Parliament

The first session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad saw heightened political tension on Thursday as lawmakers from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami staged a protest inside the chamber while activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) held demonstrations outside Parliament, both directed against President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

The situation inside the House turned tense shortly after the newly elected Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed invited the President to deliver his speech marking the start of the new parliamentary term.

As President Shahabuddin rose to address the session, Jamaat-e-Islami members of parliament (MPs) stood up from their seats and began protesting, displaying placards and chanting slogans.

Among the messages written on the placards were “No more betrayal with July” and “Stop the lack of credibility regarding the July Uprising,” referring to the 2024 uprising that reshaped the country’s political landscape.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed repeatedly appealed to the protesting lawmakers to maintain order in the chamber and allow the proceedings to continue without disruption.

Despite the protest inside the parliament, the president proceeded with his address, which is constitutionally required at the first session of every newly formed parliament.

Meanwhile, outside the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, tensions were also visible as leaders and supporters of the NCP gathered at the parliament entrance on Manik Mia Avenue.

Beginning around 10:30am, NCP activists, along with families of those killed during the July Uprising, organised a sit-in demonstration.

The protesters put forward three main demands: the impeachment of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the quick trial of those responsible for the July killings, and the implementation of state reforms through a referendum conducted by a constitutional reform council.

Several prominent figures were seen leading the demonstration, including NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Sarwar Tushar and Monira Sharmin. Participants described the protest as peaceful but firm in its demands.

The simultaneous protests inside and outside Parliament highlighted growing political divisions over the legitimacy of the current president, whom many demonstrators associate with the previous administration.

Despite the protests, the BNP-led government continued with the parliamentary proceedings. However, both Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP made it clear that they consider the “July Charter” - a framework outlining proposed state reforms - as the main benchmark for evaluating the government’s actions.

Earlier in the day, the maiden session of the 13th Parliament began at 11:05am. Senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain initially presided over the sitting, during which lawmakers unanimously elected Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed as Speaker and Barrister Kayser Kamal as Deputy Speaker.