Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday clarified that Members of Parliament are not required to bow to the Chair when entering or leaving the House, or when taking or vacating their seats, noting that the provision had been removed from the Rules of Procedure two decades ago.
Delivering a ruling from the Chair, the Speaker said the matter had been raised through points of order by lawmaker Mohammad Mujibur Rahman of Rajshahi-1 on June 16 and Joynal Abdin Faruk of Noakhali-2 on June 17, regarding the practice of showing respect to the presiding officer by bowing.
He said he had earlier informed the House that the issue would be examined and a decision would be communicated after reviewing the relevant rules and records.
Referring to Rule 267(1) of the Rules of Procedure, the Speaker noted that the current provision states that during a sitting of Parliament, a member shall show respect to the Chair when entering or leaving the House and when taking or vacating his or her seat.
He explained that the term “bowing” was removed from the rule through an amendment adopted in 2006.
The Speaker said the Standing Committee on the Rules of Procedure of the Eighth Parliament submitted a report to the House on 20 September 2006, which was considered and adopted by Parliament on 26 September 2006, incorporating the amendment to Rule 267(1).
“Therefore, the word ‘bowing’ no longer exists in Rule 267(1) of our Rules of Procedure,” he said.
He added that the existing rule only requires members to show respect to the Chair and does not prescribe any specific form of salutation or gesture.
“In accordance with their respective religious customs and practices, honourable members may show respect to the Speaker’s Chair or to the presiding officer,” he said.
