Ishraque Hossain, state minister for Liberation War Affairs and MP for Dhaka-6, has resigned from the cabinet after a video showing him carrying a gun during an anti-drug operation went viral. Yet he maintains that he did nothing wrong.
Although he was compelled to step down on Monday on the instructions of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Ishraque claims he voluntarily decided to resign because the incident had embarrassed the party and the government, and that the prime minister accepted his decision.
His account has raised questions: if he did nothing wrong, why were the ruling BNP and the government embarrassed? And why did he have to relinquish his ministerial responsibilities?
A senior Cabinet Division source said on Monday that Ishraque’s resignation letter had been received. The process of issuing a gazette notification was also under way and expected to be completed soon.
Analysts welcomed the prime minister’s decision, viewing it as a signal against activities that violate party discipline. However, they stressed that resignation alone should not replace legal action if an offence had been committed.
Political analyst Professor Abdul Latif Masum told TIMES, “The prime minister has taken a courageous step. However, if anyone commits an offence, legal action must naturally be ensured.”
On Saturday, a video showing Ishraque carrying a firearm during an anti-drug operation at Ghuntighar in the Dayaganj area, near Gendaria railway station in Dhaka, went viral. It sparked debate over the legality of displaying firearms and participating in such an operation.
Under pressure from the prime minister, Ishraque held a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday afternoon to announce his resignation.
“If I made any mistake or hurt anyone through this operation, I express my regret in advance. But I firmly believe I made no mistake that day. For my own safety, I kept the licensed weapon in my hand for as long as necessary,” he said.
The prime minister had summoned Ishraque after Sunday’s cabinet meeting and instructed him to resign.
According to Secretariat sources, after the ministers and state ministers had left the cabinet meeting, the prime minister asked Ishraque about the incident.
Ishraque initially defended the operation, explaining the extent of drug-related activities in the area. After listening for four to five minutes, the prime minister declined to hear any further explanation.
Following a few moments of silence, Ishraque, apparently understanding the situation, asked whether he should resign. The prime minister replied, “Yes.”
At Monday’s press conference, however, Ishraque maintained that he had decided to resign voluntarily.
Rumours began circulating on Sunday night that the prime minister had instructed him to leave the cabinet. Although no official statement was available, media outlets published reports citing sources.
Ishraque and his press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, subsequently issued statements dismissing the reports as rumours. On Monday morning, however, Ishraque announced his resignation.
He had removed the video from his social media account at one point on Sunday.
Defending his actions, Ishraque claimed that 30 to 35 people had approached his convoy aggressively during the operation, prompting him and his security personnel to raise their weapons in self-defence.
At the press conference, he also claimed that a network involved in drug sales, consumption and supply had long operated in the area.
He said he had undertaken the operation following complaints from local residents and discussions with law enforcement agencies.
According to Ishraque, drugs, white powder-like substances, locally made weapons and other items were recovered, and six people were handed over to police.
He declared that his campaign against drugs would continue.
Responding to questions about the mayoral election, Ishraque said he had contested the 2020 election and had long been working to address the city’s problems under party directives.
He said any future electoral role would depend on the party and its chairman.
Ishraque maintained that the firearm he carried was legally licensed.
Clause 25 of the Home Ministry’s Firearms Licence Issuance, Renewal and Use Policy 2025 sets out the conditions for carrying and using firearms for self-defence. The policy prohibits displaying weapons in the manner described in the report.
Questions have consequently arisen over whether Ishraque faced a genuine threat requiring self-defence and whether his display of the firearm violated licensing conditions.
Section 21 of the Arms Act, 1878, provides for a maximum of six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk500 or both for violating firearms licence conditions, provided the offence is not punishable under another section.
Section 18 also allows the suspension or cancellation of firearms licences under specified conditions in the interests of public peace.
Questions remain over Ishraque’s ownership and licensing of the weapon.
Although he claimed to have obtained a firearms licence following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi in December 2025, the firearms information section of his affidavit for the parliamentary election held in February was marked “not applicable”.
Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Murshid told TIMES, “Anti-drug operations can be conducted by police or the relevant administration. If there is no threat to personal security, participating in an operation while brandishing a personal weapon constitutes a violation of licensing conditions. If no legal action is taken after the resignation, one must question the state of the rule of law in the country.”
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said Saturday’s incident was under investigation.
Police have also said legal action would be taken if the investigation establishes any violation of the law.
