Ishraque Hossain, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs, has resigned from the Cabinet following the controversy sparked by his participation in an anti-narcotics operation while carrying a firearm.
He announced the decision at a press conference at National Press Club at around 2:30pm.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman summoned Ishraque after a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon and instructed him to resign, several government sources informed Prothom Alo on Sunday.
On Saturday, Ishraque Hossain took part in an anti-narcotics operation in Gandaria, in the capital, raising a firearm.
Ishraque, the Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-6 constituency, went on an anti-narcotics drive in the Dayaganj Ghunti Ghar railway gate area adjacent to Gandaria Railway Station in the capital. In a video published on his personal Facebook page, he is seen getting out of a vehicle, raising a firearm, and shouting, “Catch them, catch them, catch them…” Someone beside him can be heard saying, “I will shoot straight away.”
The video of the incident subsequently circulated on social media, triggering widespread debate and criticism.
Earlier, in a post on his verified Facebook page shortly after 8:30am, Ishraq Hossain said he would announce his resignation as state minister for liberation war affairs.
He arrived at Press Club half an hour before the scheduled time of his press conference, accompanied by hundreds of supporters.
After his arrival, the supporters began chanting slogans in his support, including, “Brother Ishraque, have no fear. We have not left the streets,” and “Brother Ishraque, March ahead, we are with you.”
Some of the supporters were seen carrying flower bouquets. As Ishraque entered the Press Club premises, supporters and members of the media surrounded him.
He then made his way through the crowd to Abdus Salam Hall on the third floor of the Press Club, accompanied by his supporters. They continued chanting slogans inside the hall.