Bangladesh opposition walks out of parliament in showdown over constitutional reforms

An 11-party opposition alliance in Bangladesh, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), walked out of parliament Thursday, protesting the government’s handling of constitutional reforms and implementation of a referendum verdict.

Opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman accused the government of delaying the July National Charter and questioned formation of a special parliamentary committee. Deputy speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal urged opposition lawmakers to remain and debate their concerns.

After the walkout, law minister Md Asaduzzaman and home minister Salahuddin Ahmed tabled three bills covering property transfers, human rights, and enforced disappearances. They were sent to standing committees for reports within two working days.

Salahuddin called the walkout “planned” and rejected its stated grounds.

“Walking out of parliament over trivial excuses will ultimately harm democracy,” he said, urging opposition members to return and resolve disputes through parliamentary debate.