Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal MP Shirin Akhter on Tuesday demanded intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to prevent the implementation of the recommendation of a parliamentary committee to exclude women officers during  'Guard of Honour' given to the freedom fighters after their death. "I am surprised, shocked and upset, my colleagues have made such recommendations," she said while speaking on a point of order in parliament. Read: Menon comes down hard on recommendation against female UNOs attending guard of honour for FFs She said that as per the Constitution of the country there can be no discrimination between men and women. "We are stunned when this happens in that country," Shirin Akhter, also general secretary of Jasod said. Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present in Parliament at the time. Read:MP Shahiduzzaman made chief of parliamentary standing committee on Law Ministry The parliamentary standing committee on Liberation War Affairs ministry on June 13 recommended taking necessary measures to find alternatives to a female upazila nirbahi officer's presence during the guard of honour given to valiant freedom fighters after their deaths. Speaking on this issue, Shirin Akhter said that the parliamentary committee has argued that since women cannot take part in the namaz-e-janaza, they cannot give guard of honor to the valiant freedom fighters. Read: Hajj Management Bill passed to deal with irregularities Shirin argued that janaza and guard of honor are not the same thing. "Such recommendation has come from the pro-liberation forces at a time when radicalism is growing across the country. I seek the intervention of the Prime Minister so that such an unwanted decision is not implemented,” she added.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon on Monday came down heavily on a parliamentary standing committee for its recommendation to find alternatives to female upazila nirbahi officers' presence during the guard of honour ceremonies given to deceased freedom fighters at their funeral. Read:Standing against corruption is the ultimate tribute to Bangabandhu: Menon“Such humiliation [to females] cannot be acceptable,” he lamented, while participating in the discussion on the proposed budget for 2021-22 fiscal in Parliament.Menon said such a recommendation is tantamount to humiliating women who sacrificed their lives and were subjected to rape during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.The parliamentary standing committee on Liberation War Affairs Ministry on Sunday recommended taking necessary measures to find alternatives to a female upazila nirbahi officer's presence during the guard of honour given to valiant freedom fighters after their deaths. Read: Menon seeks special allowance for elderly journalistsThe parliamentary standing committee came up with the recommendation in a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with ruling Awami League lawmaker Shajahan Khan in the chair.Menon in his speech said that although the finance minister mentioned about the economic progress in his budget, but it is also true that structural weakness and corruption in health sector has been exposed for the last one year.Menon also criticised the budget for imposing VAT on private universities. Read: Menon slams govt for remaining ‘silent’ over Trump’s peace plan"The proposed budget is businessman-friendly," he said.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Ahmed Siddiqui presented his credential to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Wednesday afternoon.

The people of Bangladesh will create another milestone by gathering together and launching the countdown to start the ‘Mujib Year’ at Tejgaon Airport on Friday afternoon as January 10 marks the triumphant return of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman to a liberated Bangladesh.