Quader regrets ‘inadvertent’ kiss remarks on clashes during student protests

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has regretted his comments on clashes near the party chief’s offices at Dhanmondi amid street protests by students for safe roads.

Asked about Saturday’s violence in the Jigatala in Dhaka, he asked reporters on Sunday morning: “If someone advances towards the Awami League offices firing bullets, should they be met with kisses? Or should they be met with force?”

Later in the evening, he apologised for those comments, which he said were inadvertent and also conceded that the remarks were unbecoming of someone in his position.    

“I am sorry if someone is hurt by the comment about whether we should kiss the attackers if the Awami League office is attacked,” he said.

“It was just a slip of the tongue. Such words are used in politics, but no-one expected these from me,” he added. 

Several people were injured on Saturday after a section of student protesters advanced towards the Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s offices in Dhanmondi following rumours that “four girls and several boys were confined to the office”.