Jatiya Party Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga has apologised in Parliament for slandering Noor Hossain, young pro-democracy activist whose death sparked an uprising that overthrew an autocratic regime of HM Ershad.
"I have made a mistake and I accept the liabilities. I apologise," he told the House on Wednesday (Nov 13).
The Rangpur-1 MP drew flak for his remarks made at a party event on Sunday (Nov 10), when Shaheed Noor Hossain Day was observed across the country.
"Who was Noor Hossain? A drug-addict, hooked on yaba, phensedyl," he had said.
On Tuesday (No 12), a number of lawmakers, including senior parliamentarians, came down hard on him when the issue was raised on a point of order in the House.
Veteran parliamentarians including Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim were among the MPs, who demanded an unconditional apology.
They also said his comments defamed Bangabandhu as he was delivering his speech on Nov 10 when ruling Awami League and other parties had events remembering Noor Hossain.
Addressing the parliament on Wednesday, Ranga, the Opposition chief whip, claimed that he had not made any derogatory remarks over Bangabandhu, before adding: "If I had made any incorrect comments on the Father of the Nation, I apologise."
Noor Hossain was "a drug-addict", says JP's Ranga
"Slip of tongue": Ranga on Noor Hossain remarks
“Apologies of no use,” says Quader on Noor Hossain slandering
