Remarks on Noor Hossain: Ranga faces fierce criticism in JS

Opposition Chief Whip and Jatiya Party Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga today faced blistering attack even from two senior MPs from his party alongside lawmakers of the ruling Awami League in the Jatiya Sangsad for his recent derogatory remarks over Noor Hossain.

They also asked Ranga to apologise before the nation for his remarks on Noor Hossain, a young pro-democracy activist who sacrificed his life to end the autocratic regime of HM Ershad on November 10, 1987.

Ranga at a discussion marking Noor Hossain Day on Sunday said, “Who was Noor Hossain? An addict... a yaba abuser, a Phensedyl abuser. Two democratic parties – AL and BNP -- are elated about him. This day is being observed as Noor Hossain Day.”

Taking floor on the point of order in the House today, AL MP Tahzeeb Alam Siddique launched the fierce criticism on Ranga.

Later, Jatiya Party MPs--Kazi Firoz Rashid and Mujibul Haque Chunnu, AL MPs Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Ganoforum MP Sultan Muhammed Mansur, Tarikat Federation Chairman Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary joined the criticism during the unscheduled discussion in absence of Ranga.

Meanwhile, AL lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim demanded Ranga’s suspension from the JP for his remarks.

Taking floor in the House, Kazi Firoz Rashid said Ranga’s comments are not the stance of Jatiya Party.

“It is his personal speech. Jatiya Party is ashamed for these remarks. We are sorry and feel humiliated for this,” he said.

Mentioning that Jatiya Party does not support his comments, Firoz said, “We do not own what he had said over Noor Hossain. Our party does not acknowledge it. We reject it with hatred.”

“We have complete respect for the brave youth who sacrificed his life for democracy…. I have never shown such audacity or utter such words like him (Ranga),” he added.

Taking a swipe at Ranga, Kazi Firoz said Ranga has no background and education, but he was surprisingly made a minister.

“We got astonished as he was suddenly made a minister,” he said.

Claiming that Ranga was a leader of Jubo Dal in the past, Firoz Rashid said, “Where the source of his audacity to talk against Bangabandhu? He spoke against the Prime Minister. He gives the lesson of democracy. He doesn’t have education. He suddenly became owner of houses and cars turning a transport worker leader by wearing garland of papers. We’ve to give a good reply to his audacity.”

Pointing at Ranga, the MP said Jatiya Party participated in the election with support of Awami League.

Terming Ranga ungrateful, Firoz said, “You could not land in Rangpur if Awami League was not behind you. We know who has how many votes.”

Another JP MP Mujibul Haque said Ranga will have to take responsibility for what he had said about Noor Hossain.

AL senior parliamentarian Tofail Ahmed said Ranga hurt the sentiment of the country’s people making derogatory remarks about Noor Hossain.

Tofail said, “Ranga will have to make an apology before the nation…. You would not become a member of the parliament if you did not forge alliance with AL.”

AL senior parliamentarian Amir Hossain Amu said Ranga made the remarks to hide misdeeds of HM Ershad.

“Now actions should be taken against him”, he added.