Ishraque's fate up in the air

Reports say PM asked him to resign over firearm incident

The fate of State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain appeared to be hanging in the balance late into last night.

Several media outlets reported last night that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had asked Ishraque to resign from the cabinet following public outrage over his display of a firearm during an "anti-drug operation" in the capital's Gendaria on Saturday.

Citing sources close to the government, the reports said Tarique summoned Ishraque after a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat yesterday afternoon and instructed him to step down.

However, no official statement had been issued by the time this report was filed at 2:00am today.

At 10:34pm, state broadcaster Bangladesh Television ran a news ticker reading: “Prime Minister orders Ishraque to resign from the cabinet.”

The ticker was removed shortly afterwards.

At 11:22pm, BTV aired another ticker quoting Ishraque as saying the reports that he had been instructed to resign were "completely false".

Government and Prime Minister's Office officials said discussions had been underway since yesterday afternoon over whether Ishraque should step down.

The controversy has embarrassed the government and raised concerns at the highest levels about ministerial conduct.

Tarique also reportedly reprimanded Ishraque yesterday afternoon for brandishing a firearm, instructing him to apologise publicly and refrain from doing so again.

Asked about the government's position on Ishraque's conduct, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani told reporters after a cabinet meeting around 7:15pm, "I have no comment on this matter. There was no discussion in this regard."

Pressed on whether the government had taken note of the incident or launched an inquiry, he said, "I will make no further comment on this."

In a Facebook post around 12:35am today, Ishraque said any instruction from the prime minister to a cabinet member, whether to resign or on any other matter, "is conventionally binding and becomes effective immediately upon issuance".

He added, "Therefore, there is no need to verify such information through any third, fourth, or more distant intermediary.

"If any such decision is taken concerning the Liberation War Affairs ministry or myself, the nation will be informed in detail through a press conference at the earliest possible opportunity once the decision takes effect, Insha'Allah."

Earlier, contacted by The Daily Star around 11:00pm, Ishraque dismissed reports that he had been asked to resign, calling them "rumours".

At 10:30pm, his press officer Mahfuz Kabir issued a statement dismissing reports in the media and on social media that Ishraque had resigned or been asked to resign as "completely false, baseless, fabricated, and motivated".

"The truth is that the state minister continues to discharge his official and political responsibilities with dedication and distinction. No directive has been issued from the highest levels of the government asking him to resign, and there is no question of his resignation.

"At the same time, we call upon those who have published or broadcast these misleading reports to immediately withdraw them and present the correct facts. Otherwise, appropriate legal action will be taken against those responsible for spreading false information."

PRIME MINISTER UNHAPPY

Three government sources familiar with the matter said Tarique expressed strong dissatisfaction when he met Ishraque at the Secretariat around 2:00pm yesterday, questioning why the state minister had personally participated in the operation while carrying a firearm.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "His actions have embarrassed the government… If the government does not take strong action over the incident, it will create a negative impression among the people. That's why he has been asked to apologise publicly."

Ishraque's actions have also caused unease among BNP ministers, lawmakers and rank-and-file party members.

Five MPs and two ministers, requesting anonymity, said they supported anti-drug drives but objected to a state minister personally carrying out such an operation while armed. They said the incident had exposed the government to criticism.

Some lawmakers also feared the videos could damage the government's image among foreign diplomats.

The controversy erupted on Saturday when videos posted on Ishraque's verified Facebook page showed him stepping out of a vehicle with a pistol and directing his associates to apprehend several people near the Dayaganj Ghuntighar railway crossing, close to Gandaria Railway Station.

Two others accompanying the state minister were also seen carrying firearms. At one point, a member of his entourage threatened to shoot, while one of his bodyguards kicked a young man as the group attempted to detain several people.

The footage went viral, raising questions about the legality of a state minister personally conducting such an operation and displaying a firearm in public.

Under the home ministry's Firearms Licence Issuance, Renewal and Use Policy 2025, licence holders may carry or use firearms for self-defence but are prohibited from displaying them in a manner that causes fear or annoyance to others.

Meanwhile, Ishraque accused several media outlets in a Facebook post of exaggerating the incident.

He said the operation, carried out with assistance from Gandaria police, dismantled four to five makeshift drug dens and led to the detention of six suspected drug traders.

Suspected heroin, foreign liquor, drug paraphernalia, sharp weapons, cash and mobile phones were also seized, he added.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has also launched an investigation into the incident.

Detective Branch Chief Shafiqul Islam told reporters around noon yesterday that the deputy commissioner of Wari Division had been assigned to investigate and submit a report.

Opposition Jamaat-e-Islami condemned the incident, describing the display of a firearm as an attempt to establish a "reign of terror".

In a statement yesterday, the party said Ishraque's conduct was unlawful, could embolden criminals and amounted to a breach of his oath of office. It called for action against those responsible.

Under Article 58 of the constitution, a minister other than the prime minister vacates office upon submitting a resignation to the prime minister for forwarding to the president.

The prime minister may also request a minister to resign at any time. If the minister fails to comply, the prime minister may advise the president to terminate the appointment.