Opposition Jamaat MPs on Tuesday expressed resentment in parliament over the arrest of a woman named Sawda Sumi in Bhola, apparently for commenting on the fuel crisis on Facebook.

Calling this arrest a 'foreshadowing of the fascist government', opposition MP Rafiqul Islam Khan has given an ultimatum to release the woman and withdraw the case by today.

He expressed his anger over this during the point of order in the Parliament with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair.

Participating in the discussion, Rafiqul Islam Khan said, “The police have arrested a woman named Sawda Sumi for her Facebook status. It has been said that she was arrested and a case was filed 'on orders from above'. My question is - who do they mean by 'orders from above'?”

Making a demand to the government through the Speaker, Rafiqul Islam Khan said, the woman should be released and the case should be withdrawn within today's office hours.

He said the arrest foreshadowed a fascist government. "But this government is a democratic government, so can't people speak?" he asked.

In response to Rafiqul Islam Khan's statement, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said it would not be accepted as a point of order. The rules were not mentioned either. "Nevertheless, since you raised the issue and the opposition leader contacted me about it, I tried to resolve the problem," the speaker said. 

“However, it is not right to give an ultimatum like on the highway outside the parliament," he said. "If necessary according to the rules, you will bring it in the form of a proposal.”

He also said that many people make various comments about the government on Facebook every day, and if everything is taken into account, the parliament will not be able to do other work.

“Nevertheless, since the opposition leader raised the issue, we are taking note of it and will take the initiative to take necessary measures.”

It has since been reported that Sawda Sumi has been released. 

Ameer-e-Jamaat Dr Shafiqur Rahman on his verified Facebook page posted a status at 12.46pm saying, "Alhamdulillah, Sister Sawda Sumi is free."