No obligation to bow to Chair in Parliament: Speaker

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram on Thursday clarified that Members of Parliament are not required to bow to the Chair as a sign of respect, as the relevant provision was removed from the Rules of Procedure two decades ago.

Delivering a ruling in the Jatiya Sangsad, the Speaker said the issue had been raised through points of order by Rajshahi-1 lawmaker Md Mujibur Rahman on June 16 and Noakhali-2 MP Zainal Abedin Faruk on Wednesday, who sought clarification regarding the longstanding parliamentary practice of bowing before the presiding officer.

He said he had assured the House that the matter would be examined and a decision communicated after reviewing the relevant provisions.

Citing Rule 267(1) of the Rules of Procedure, the Speaker said lawmakers are required to show respect to the Chair while entering or leaving the chamber and while taking or vacating their seats during parliamentary proceedings. However, he noted that the word bowing was removed from the rule through an amendment adopted in 2006.

“As the word ‘bowing’ has been omitted from the Rules of Procedure, members may show respect to the Speaker’s Chair or the presiding officer in accordance with their respective religious practices,” he said.

TZ