Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called for an end to what he described as a long-standing culture of political flattery in Parliament, saying the legislature should serve as a platform for constitutional responsibility and constructive democratic debate rather than personal glorification.
Speaking during the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 financial year on Monday, Dr Shafiqur said Parliament should promote respectful political engagement, where both the government and the opposition fulfil their constitutional roles without resorting to unnecessary confrontation or unquestioning support.
He argued that political differences are a natural part of democracy but should be handled with mutual respect.
According to him, the opposition should neither endorse every government decision without scrutiny nor reject positive initiatives simply for political reasons.
Describing Parliament as being sustained by both the government and the opposition, he warned that the parliamentary system would weaken if either side failed to perform its responsibilities effectively.
Dr Shafiqur also criticised what he called the misuse of taxpayers’ money to praise political figures through songs, poetry or exaggerated tributes during parliamentary proceedings.
He stated public funds should never be spent on personal glorification or character attacks and urged the speaker to ensure such practices come to an end.
Turning to the proposed budget, the opposition leader thanked the finance minister for preparing what he described as a comprehensive financial plan despite inheriting a difficult economic situation.
He added that a national budget should provide a roadmap for the country’s future but acknowledged that no budget is free from shortcomings.
He further added that it was the opposition’s responsibility to identify weaknesses, unnecessary spending, inequality and measures that could harm public interest. Dr Shafiqur expressed hope that constructive proposals from both government and opposition lawmakers would be reflected in the final version of the budget.
He also highlighted what he sees as structural weaknesses in Bangladesh’s budget implementation process. According to him, the current July-to-June fiscal year often results in rushed spending towards the end of the financial year, increasing the risk of waste and corruption.
The opposition's leader renewed his proposal to change the fiscal calendar to a January-to-December cycle and stressed the importance of greater financial accountability throughout the public administration.
Corruption and weak accountability, he said, remain among the country’s biggest obstacles to sustainable development.
Dr Shafiqur called for a justice-based budget that gives greater priority to disadvantaged communities and neglected regions while making wider use of technology to improve disaster forecasting and reduce waste in public projects.
Addressing education, Dr Shafiqur said Bangladesh continues to fall short of international standards despite having a growing number of universities. He called for academic appointments based on merit rather than political affiliation and proposed dedicated government funding to transform at least five universities into leading research institutions.
Jammat Ameer also criticised the absence of financial support for Qawmi madrasa education in the proposed budget. He urged the government to consult Hayatul Ulaya on providing state assistance while preserving the distinctive character of the institutions. In addition, he called for the inclusion of Ebtedayee madrasas and long-serving teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme through a fair assessment process.
He urged the government to pursue international legal agreements to recover laundered assets and prosecute those responsible, saying his party would support such efforts.
Healthcare was another major focus of his speech. Ameer said hospitals across the country, from rural health centres to medical universities, are treating far more patients than they were designed to accommodate, forcing many people to receive treatment in overcrowded conditions.
Rather than prioritising new hospital buildings, he argued that the government should strengthen existing facilities by addressing shortages of doctors, nurses, equipment and essential logistical support.
He also criticised what he described as an overreliance on imported healthcare models, calling instead for a more patient-centred clinical system designed to meet Bangladesh’s own needs.
At the beginning of his speech, Dr Shafiqur paid tribute to several prominent national figures, including former President Ziaur Rahman, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, General M A G Osmani and A S M Abdur Rab.
He also remembered those who were killed, injured or persecuted during major political events, including the 1990 mass uprising, the 28 October violence, the Pilkhana killings, the Shapla Chattar incident, the July Uprising and the anti-fascist movement in recent years.
Dr Shafiqur said his party had lost 11 senior leaders and that he remains the twelfth surviving leader. He described the current legislature as a “Parliament of the oppressed” and concluded by calling for national unity, justice and the restoration of public confidence in democratic institutions.
