In the face of widespread criticism over his cruel smile and ridiculous remarks on Sunday’s road accident, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan on Monday offered his apology by saying he was ‘saddened and ashamed’. Saddened and ashamed of what, is it for his hollow apology or is it for his failure to control his unruly cronies in the transportation sector?
Despite his apology, the situation has worsened – transport workers yesterday have beaten up students and blocked Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in protest against the vandalism occured during the students’ agitation following Sunday’s road crash that left two students dead. The agitated workers also attacked students of schools and colleges in Narayanganj. As protest spread outside Dhaka, highways and roads are being indiscriminately blocked here and there. And the minister, after the 4th consecutive day of blockade and vandalism, is no way near to offer a solution to put an end to the ongoing crisis. Moreover, he clearly avoided from talking or standing beside the agitated students, thus signalling a silent support for transport workers.
The irresponsible minister apparently tried to downplay the accident that day. When reporters asked him about the deaths caused by a perilous competition between two buses, the minister grinned and threw back a counter ridiculous question at them. In fact, this is not the first time he mocked at a painful reality but the sad truth is – he always somehow manages – to get away with his offensive words and gestures.
Referring to his grins and smiles, he said, “My fault is that I smile. People and God love those who smile. However, if you consider my smiling an offence, I won’t smile anymore.” His very description about himself suggests he is not caring to understand how irresponsible he has proved himself.
Just last May he said that “besides the drivers, victims of road accidents should be tried”. On the topic of handing out driving licences, he said at a press conference, “If a driver can sign his name, can understand traffic signs and signals, can differentiate between a cow and a goat and has good driving skills, what is the problem in giving him a licence?”
Many of the ministers’ past remarks do not inspire confidence.
