Ershad brands women present in JS ‘showpieces’

Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad on Monday branded all women present in parliament, including his wife Raushan Ershad, as ‘showpieces’. Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed budget, the former military dictator said, ‘Other women in the country are not safe, they are helpless.’ Ershad made the comments in presence of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition in parliament Raushan Ershad and speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. Sitting just beside his spouse, Ershad who is also special envoy to the prime minister said, ‘All women here, including she, [Raushan] are showpieces.’ ‘Women cannot freely visit Central Shaheed Minar after midnight to pay homage [to language martyrs]. They are assaulted on Dhaka University campus during Pahela Baishakh celebrations,’ he said. Ershad’s comments drew anger from many women lawmakers present in the house but the speaker was forced to pass a ruling to allow him to speak his mind. Ershad blamed the government for not being able to ensure good governance, curb money laundering, corruption and the ‘sorry state of educational institutions’. Leader of the opposition and Raushan Ershad said ‘sorry’ on behalf of her party over her husband’s comments before beginning her speech. The speaker assured the house that Ershad’s comments on women would be expunged as the use of language violated the conduct of the parliament. News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net