'Mobocracy' remark on Jamaat rally sparks heated debate in parliament
Jamaat MP Rashedul Islam sought the removal of the word from parliamentary records, arguing it was inappropriate, but Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the term was neither offensive nor unparliamentary.
A debate erupted in parliament today (22 June) over the use of the term "mobocracy" to describe a Jamaat-e-Islami rally and protest programme held in response to the proposed national budget, with the speaker rejecting a demand to expunge the word from the official proceedings.
The issue was raised during today's budget session by Jamaat lawmaker Md. Rashedul Islam Rashed, who stood on a point of order and drew the speaker's attention to the matter.
Rashedul said a member of parliament had referred to Jamaat's budget-related procession and protest programme as "mobocracy", arguing that such a term was inappropriate for inclusion in parliamentary records. He urged the speaker to have the word expunged.
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In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said "mobocracy" was neither an obscene term nor one that warranted removal from the proceedings.
Addressing the concerned lawmaker, the speaker said he was free to respond to the remark during his speech on the budget.
The issue later drew comments from the leader of the opposition, who argued that "mobocracy" does not carry a positive meaning and is clearly objectionable in a political context.
He said the member who used the term may have done so inadvertently. However, he noted that budget-related protests and demonstrations have been organised not only by Jamaat but also by the BNP and other political parties over the years.
"Would all those democratic political programmes also be described as mobocracy?" he asked.
The opposition leader further argued that such language was unbecoming of the national parliament and renewed the demand for the term to be removed from the official record.
Despite the objection, the speaker stood by his earlier ruling.
He said "mobocracy" has become a widely used political term in recent times and is frequently used in political speeches and public statements.
"It is not an obscene word, nor can it be considered unparliamentary," the speaker said.
Addressing lawmakers, he added that members were free to use the term in their speeches if they wished.
According to the speaker, the word is generally used in political discourse to criticise what is perceived as undesirable democratic behaviour or practices.
Concluding the discussion, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said there was no justification for expunging the term from the parliamentary proceedings.
