Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked Information and Broadcasting Minister Murad Hassan to resign from the cabinet after a controversy erupted over his abusive and derogatory remarks on women. Murad, in an interview, had used derogatory words against Khaleda Zia, the country’s former prime minister and the leader of the main opposition party, BNP. 

"The prime minister has asked him to step down from his post within 24 hours," Obaidul Quader, who is Cabinet Minister for roads, transport, and bridges, was quoted as saying by The Daily Star. He said he discussed the matter with Hasina and the concerned minister has been asked to resign by Tuesday evening. 

The controversy erupted last week when Murad, in an interview to a Facebook page, used abusive terms for Khaleda Zia and his family members. Later, an audio clip of his phone calls also emerged where he can be heard pressuring a famous actress to come to his hotel room, media reports said. 

The minister allegedly also threatened the actress to get her picked up by police and intelligence officers if she refused to come. She was also issued rape threats.

As the controversy grew, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s main opposition party, demanded an explanation from the Hasina government. 

Different woman and rights bodies, political organizations, lawyers, and cross-section of people deplored the remarks, terming those indecent, vulgar, racist, and misogynist. They demanded his immediate removal from the cabinet and legal action against him.

Reacting to the comments, Quader, who is also the general secretary of the ruling party, said, "The remark was not made on behalf of our party or the government." 

(SAM)