Jamaat MP challenges road minister’s ‘comfortable’ Eid travel claim, demands resignation

Saiful Alam Milon questions the valuation of lives as road fatalities spike during the Eid holidays

A Jamaat-e-Islami MP has questioned Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam over his claim that this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr travel was “more comfortable” than before, citing reports of significant casualties.

Speaking on a point of order in parliament on Monday, Dhaka-12 MP Saiful Alam Khan Milon said: “My question is, how many more people must die before he feels uncomfortable?”

The criticism follows a press conference on Sunday where the minister claimed that Eid travel had been "more comfortable than ever before".

Challenging this assertion, Milon cited conflicting casualty reports, noting that the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority recorded 170 deaths, while the Passengers' Welfare Association put the figure as high as 370.

Referring specifically to a fatal bus accident at the Daulatdia ferry terminal, Milon pointed out that the minister had failed to visit the site.

He also criticised the government’s compensation package, calling it an insult to the victims.

"Is a human life worth only Tk 25,000? And just Tk 15,000 for the injured?" he asked.

Invoking the Westminster parliamentary model, the Jamaat MP suggested that under such circumstances in the UK, a minister would have stepped down immediately.

"Will the road transport minister resign? Is he even considering it?" Milon demanded.