Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury adjourned the business for the day just after adopting the condolence motion unanimously over the death of Jatiya Party MP Tajul Islam elected from Kurigram-2 constituency and Awami League MP Shuja elected from Khulna-4 constituency.
As per the tradition, the day’s business of Parliament is adjourned immediately after the adaptation of a condolence motion in case of the death of any sitting MP.
Before passing the condolence motion, a number of MPs, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad, took part in the discussion on the proposal and recalled the works of seven-time MP Tajul Islam and three-time MP Shuja.
The Speaker moved the condolence motion over the death of the two MPs as well as some noted personalities, including former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, former minister and ex-MP Kalparanjan Chakma, former state minister Mozaffar Hossain and six former MPs.
The six former MPs are Sharif Khasruzzaman, Abdur Rauf Miah, Fazle Elahi, Alfaz Uddin, Principal Abdul Mannan Mandal and Anwar Habib.
Besides, the House expressed its deep shock at the death of Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar and Financial Express Editor AHM Moazzem Hossain, United States Senator John Sidney McCain, Language Movement heroes Dr Halima Khatun and Abdul Baten, noted writer Rama Chowdhury who is well-known as Ekattorer Janani, Executive Editor of Daily Observer Anis Ahmed and Sunamganj municipality mayor Ayub Bakhta Jaglul and some other noted persons.
Taking part in the discussions, the Prime Minister said, “We’ve lost two competent MPs at their death (Shuja and Tajul Islam Choudhury).”
About Shuja who was general secretary of Awami League Khulna district unit, Sheikh Hasina said he was a sports and cultural-minded person. “He was very lovely and competent political leader.”
She said Shuja was tortured mercilessly and he suffered severe injuries as his leg was drilled during the ‘operation clean-heart’ when BNP-Jamaat was in power. His physical condition deteriorated after the torture and died after suffering from various diseases and complications for a long time.
During the operation clean-heart, some 150 AL leaders and workers were killed, she added.
About Tajul Islam, the Prime Minister said he played a bold role in arranging the 2014 general election .He was a popular leader in Kurigram and Rangpur regions, she added.
Hasina said a total of 15 sitting MPs of the 10th parliament died following the death of the two MPs.
The Prime Minister prayed for salvation of the departed souls of Shuja and Tajul Islam Choudhury as well as expressed sympathy to their bereaved family members.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, State Minister for Rural Development and Cooperatives Moshiur Rahman Ranga, AL MPs Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Shawkat Ali Badsha, newly elected MP from Khulna-4 Abdus Salam Murshedi, and Jatiya Party MPs Kazi Firoz Rashid and Fakhrul Imam, among others, joined the discussion.
Besides, Parliament condoled the death of former president of Dhaka Reporters Unity Mostak Ahmed, ETV Senior Reporter Mamunur Rashid, Bangladesh peacekeeper Lt Commander Ashraf Siddiqui who was killed in South Sudan, two students of Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College – Diya Akter Mim and Abdul Karim who were killed in a bus accident, Ansar member Liakat Ali who had provided guard of honour to the Mujibnagar government, and noted actress Rani Sarkar.
The House also expressed deep shock at the death of those killed in recent flood in Kerala, India, earthquake in Indonesia, road accidents both at home and abroad.
A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat offered over the death of the two MPs and others.