Shajahan Khan’s apology came at a time when outrage over the deaths of two teenagers in the road accident fuelled a third day of protests.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan on Monday apologized for grinning after hearing the news of the killing of two students of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin School and College by a speeding bus on a Dhaka road on Sunday.
“I am sorry for my jolly expression. I’m seeking apology to those who were hurt by my attitude. I hope you will please accept my heartfelt apology” he said, talking to journalists at his Secretariat office.
“I’m always jolly. I wasn’t aware of the development of that day when journalists questioned me about it. So naturally, I attempted to steer the conversation to the agenda of the meeting. And my expression was jovial at the time, which offended many. It was totally unintended.”
Shajahan Khan’s apology came at a time when outrage over the deaths of two teenagers in the road accident fuelled a third day of protests.
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Critics claim he has often downplayed concerns about reckless driving amid a spate of deadly road accidents.
On Sunday, Shajahan was visibly irked by reporters telling him that drivers had become reckless because he had overlooked their faults.
“A road crash has claimed 33 lives in India’s Maharashtra; but do they talk about it the way we do?” he asked.
The minister’s comments, interpreted by some as an attempt to downplay the culpability of the driver, resulted in calls for him to step down.
The shipping minister also assured that Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, a major transport workers’ union, of which he is the executive president, will not lobby on behalf of the accused drivers involved in the deadly accident.
Meanwhile, it was said in a Shipping Ministry-issued statement that Shajahan Khan accepted the criticism for his attitude that day [Sunday]. He also asked everyone to accept his heartfelt apology.
Source: Dhaka Tribune.