At the very end of Sunday’s parliamentary session, the opposition staged a walkout.
During the discussion on the proposed 2026-27 budget, the final speaker was LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Following his remarks, two bills were introduced under the supplementary agenda: the Bangladesh Medical University (Amendment) Bill and the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill.
The opposition objected to the bills being tabled without prior notice. Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal responded that he had excused the timing. The bills were then referred to the parliamentary committees responsible for review and reporting within three days.
After the bills were introduced, Jamaat-e-Islami MP Shahjahan Chowdhury sought the floor on a point of order. The deputy speaker replied that it was not possible at that moment, as Fakhrul was scheduled to deliver a statement under Rule 300 of the House’s rules of procedure. Amid opposition protests, the deputy speaker invited Fakhrul to proceed.
At that point, Fakhrul remarked, “I have good news for you.”
The deputy speaker interjected, “Let the statement come first. Why are you all so impatient!”
Opposition members then declared, “We are walking out,” and left the chamber.
Later, Fakhrul announced that he would deliver his statement at a later time. The deputy speaker subsequently adjourned the session.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Jamaat MP Najibur Rahman explained that the opposition walked out because they were allotted less time than the ruling party, were not given advance copies of the bills, and were denied the opportunity to raise points of order.
The Bangladesh Medical University (Amendment) Bill – seeking to amend the Bangladesh Medical University Act, 1998 – was placed in parliament on Sunday to facilitate the operation of the university's Super Specialised Hospital and empower the institution to establish and invest in companies to expand medical education, research and healthcare services.
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain introduced the bill.
The proposed amendment sought to authorise the university to establish profit-making or non-profit companies or organisations and to acquire, hold, and transfer shares in such entities for expanding its medical education, healthcare, and research activities.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon placed the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 aiming to strengthen legal measures against question paper leaks, cheating, fake certificates and technology-driven examination offences.
According to the objective of the bill placed before the House, the existing The Public Examinations (Offences) Act, 1980 was enacted about 45 years ago to prevent malpractice in public examinations, including cheating, question leaks, fabrication of certificates and other irregularities.
However, the bill observed that the widespread use of technology and the growing trend of examination-related crimes being committed through digital means have rendered several provisions of the existing law outdated.
The proposed amendment sought to ensure a fair and malpractice-free examination environment by bringing offences committed through digital systems and online platforms within the legal framework.
One of the key features of the proposed legislation was the inclusion and definition of the term “digital manipulation” to cover unauthorised access to examination databases through cybercrime, as well as any form of digital tampering.
The bill proposes a maximum punishment of five years’ imprisonment and fines for those found guilty of digital manipulation.
