Mohammad Shahid Islam (Papul), a Member of Jatiyo Sangsad (JS) from Laxmipur-2 constituency now detained in Kuwait Central Jail for illegal activities. As a lawmaker isn’t it embarrassing to be arrested in a foreign country as a lawmaker? What action can be taken against him? In an exclusive interview with Barta24.com on these issues, not only Papul but also including other lawmakers who were accused of irresponsible behavior, Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia said that Shahid Islam Papul has tarnished the image of not only the parliament but also the country. He said that Papul is a professional smuggler by chance MP.
Barta24.com: A lawmaker has been arrested in a foreign jail, what should Parliament do in this case?
Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia: Parliament runs according to the Rules of Procedure and the provisions of the Constitution. In the absence of the Hon'ble Speaker, the Deputy Speaker conducts the Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure. In some cases we follow certain procedures. We try to follow up on some conventions of the past.
Explaining the legality, the Deputy Speaker said, ‘Shahidul Islam Papul was not a candidate nominated by us (Awami League), so the Awami League has not been able to expel him so far.’ It will not be possible for the Awami League to 'expel' him. If someone expelled him from his own party, a direct question would arise about his membership. Now the question of his membership will arise when he will be sentenced to at least two years for moral turpitude.
Barta24.com: Do you think that the image of the parliament has been tarnished by Papul's activities?
Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia: Before the image of the Parliament is tarnished, I will say that the image of the country has been tarnished. Parliament is later. He is a citizen of this country and then he is a Member of Parliament.
Taking the example of a Member of Parliament in the past, Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia said that when a question was raised from the opposition in 1988, the Home Minister was Professor MA Matin. At that time, a Member of Parliament from Sylhet was accused of being involved in gold smuggling and was arrested. It made headlines in every newspaper in the country. The Opposition demanded a statement from Prof. Matin on this in Parliament, to which Prof. Matin replied, ‘He is a smuggler by profession, MP by chance’. About Shahidul Islam Papul, I would like to use the word ‘He is a smuggler by profession, MP by chance’ in his case too. He became an independent MP because there was no good candidate of Awami League or BNP here.
Parliament will be able to take action against him only when a copy of the judgment against him is sent to us by the government of that country or if anyone sends it to the Speaker with an application or a certified copy of the sentence.
Barta24.com: Papul episode is not the first, before this a reserved MP came to discussion about National University examination with a fake examinee. What is the reason for such allegations against the MPs again and again?
Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia: The way it came out in the newspaper, the way it was highlighted then, we thought that woman MP was wrong. But he is a victim of local politics.
Barta24.com: Can she, as a lawmaker, give exams with fake examinees?
Deputy Speaker Advocate. Fazle Rabbi Mia: No, no such behavior can be expected.
Barta24.com: Thank you on behalf of Barta24.com for giving us time.
Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia: Thanks to all of Barta24.com through you.