Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed withdrew remarks on Thursday afternoon after opposition lawmakers objected during the parliamentary question-and-answer session. The dispute began when opposition MP Shafiqul Islam Masud questioned him about the law-and-order situation, and the minister said speaking at Shahbagh Square was not the same as speaking in parliament.

Opposition members protested the comment, saying the minister had responded in that manner to questions from several members, including Hasnat Abdullah. Salahuddin Ahmed said he had not directed his remarks at anyone. The objections continued as lawmakers challenged his description of opposition members’ questions as speeches associated with Shahbagh Square and Paltan Maidan.

Amid the protest, the home minister sought “shelter” from Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. When the speaker was also unable to stop the protesting members, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “I withdraw, I withdraw, are you happy now?” The minister’s statement marked a retraction of the contested remarks during the session.