Published: 12:05 AM, 11 September 2026
Rumeen Farhana alleges verbal abuse during Parliament speech
Independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana accused ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmakers of verbally abusing her during a heated parliamentary session Wednesday after she sharply criticized the government's record on corruption, loan defaults, energy shortages and other economic problems.
Rumeen Farhana, who represents Brahmanbaria-2, made the allegations while speaking during debate on the Bank Resolution (Amendment) Bill 2026. Her remarks prompted loud protests from lawmakers on the treasury benches, disrupting proceedings for several minutes.
Rumeen Farhana said it was unrealistic to expect the country to avoid gas and electricity shortages, fertilizer crises, corruption and rising loan defaults under a BNP government. She also questioned why a controversial provision remained in the proposed legislation and alleged that many lawmakers were associated with loan defaults.
As lawmakers shouted from their seats, Farhana accused Parliament of becoming intolerant of dissent. She compared the reaction to the behavior of lawmakers during the previous Awami League government, saying that opponents had similarly disrupted speeches when she criticized the former ruling party.
Farhana's allotted speaking time eventually expired, and her microphone was switched off. She continued speaking without the microphone as the commotion persisted. She then repeatedly drew the attention of the chair, alleging that some lawmakers had directed obscene and offensive language at her.
National Citizens Party (NCP) lawmaker Abdul Hannan Masud stood in protest, saying that no member of Parliament should be subjected to abusive language. Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal repeatedly urged lawmakers to remain calm and restore order.
Kaiser Kamal emphasized that every lawmaker has the right to express an opinion and that those who disagree should respond when given the opportunity to speak rather than obstruct another member. He also reminded the chief whip that maintaining order in the House was a key responsibility.
Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that if Rumeen Farhana's remarks were unparliamentary, the chair could rule on them or have them removed from the official record. However, he questioned whether her speech could be properly understood amid the uproar.
Rumeen Farhana later told reporters that BNP lawmakers had verbally abused her with obscene language. She also questioned the response of the chief whip during the incident.
The confrontation has renewed debate over parliamentary decorum and whether elected representatives can freely express dissent without facing personal attacks or intimidation.
