Rumeen Farhana says citizens have the right to leave and return; on Hasina

Image- Collected

Independent lawmaker Barrister Rumeen Farhana has said the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees citizens the right to leave the country and return at any time.

Responding to questions about the possible return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Brahmanbaria-2 lawmaker said any Bangladeshi citizen can leave and enter the country, while the government can decide what legal or administrative steps to take after someone returns.

She made the remarks while speaking to journalists after attending a reception for meritorious students at the Ashuganj Upazila Parishad auditorium in Brahmanbaria on Thursday.

The event was organised by the Abdul Kadir Shah Library in Ashuganj.

Her comments came amid a dispute with the local BNP unit over remarks she recently made in parliament criticising the BNP government. The local BNP unit had organised a broom procession against her comments and warned that she could be declared unwelcome in Ashuganj if she did not withdraw them.

Asked about the protest and the threat, Rumeen said such developments were part of political activities, where differences of opinion, rallies and processions are common.

She added that politicians ultimately receive responses from the public, saying the attendance at the student reception demonstrated that response.