|| Members of Parliament from both the treasury and opposition benches today paid rich tributes to former Speaker and former Acting President Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, recalling his contributions to democracy, rule of law and parliamentary practice. The lawmakers described Barrister Sircar as an eminent jurist, a guardian-like parliamentarian, a politician with unwavering faith in democracy and a steadfast protector of constitutional institutions.The discussion took place in the House under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, on a condolence motion placed over the death of the veteran politician. Addressing the House, the Speaker said the nation has lost a towering political figure, an illustrious lawyer and a noble-hearted human being with the passing of Barrister Sircar. Hafiz said he was deeply moved by the tributes delivered by lawmakers and recalled working alongside Barrister Sircar in several parliaments. The Speaker said he had always been impressed by Sircar’s skill, dignity and composure in conducting parliamentary proceedings during his tenure as Speaker. Describing him as a renowned lawyer and a close associate of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the Speaker said Barrister Sircar was a humble, generous and courteous person against whom he had never heard any complaint. He said Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal had visited Sircar on Saturday night and that he himself had planned to see him at the hospital on Sunday morning, but did not get that opportunity. Praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul, the Speaker expressed profound sympathy to the bereaved family, including his son Barrister Nawshad Jamir, and prayed for strength and patience for them. Taking part in the discussion, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Barrister Sircar was not only his political colleague but also a guardian who treated him with affection despite having no blood relation. He said Barrister Sircar was a true patriot who earned distinction in the legal profession after completing his Bar-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn in London. “Rising from the remote district of Panchagarh, he made remarkable contributions to national politics and state affairs,” he said. The LGRD minister said Sircar was never defeated in any parliamentary election and remained immensely popular in his constituency. Mirza Fakhrul said Sircar had been involved in left-wing student politics before joining Jagodal and later Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) being inspired by the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. “Since the party’s inception, Sircar had been playing significant role in its policymaking and later served the nation in different capacities, including as a minister and Speaker.” added Fakhrul. He said Barrister Sircar had unwavering faith in democracy, rule of law and constitutional institutions, and firmly believed that democracy could only be advanced through elections. The minister also recalled speaking with Barrister Nawshad Jamir on the night before Sircar’s demise and said he had planned to visit him at the hospital the following morning but instead received the news of his passing at dawn. He added that all three of Sircar’s children had joined the legal profession, reflecting his lifelong commitment to justice and the rule of law. “With his death, the country has lost an experienced jurist and one of the guardians of parliamentary democracy,” he said. Earlier, treasury bench member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Barrister Sircar was among the country’s most successful lawyers and politicians, whose integrity, professionalism and dedication had earned him widespread respect. He said Sircar had served under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in various important capacities and had also discharged his responsibilities as Speaker with distinction. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed described Barrister Sircar as a thorough gentleman and a devoted political worker. He said Sircar’s trademark ‘three-piece suit, hat and umbrella’ had become part of his unique personality. The Home Minister said no client or colleague had ever raised any complaint against him throughout his long legal career. He recalled that Sircar had also served as Education Minister and later continued to guide younger colleagues as a senior party leader. He said Sircar had declined to contest the last parliamentary election because of his age and had requested that his son, Barrister Nawshad Jamir, be nominated instead.Referring to the parliamentary tradition of burying former Speakers within the Parliament premises, the minister said Sircar would remain forever connected with the Jatiya Sangsad and that his eventful life would continue to inspire future generations. Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Barrister Sircar, a six-time elected Member of Parliament, former Speaker, former Acting President and distinguished jurist, had dedicated his life to public service. He said during the authoritarian period, many political leaders and activists facing legal cases sought Barrister Sircar’s assistance. Besides offering legal advice, he personally represented many of them in court without accepting any professional fee, considering it his moral responsibility. Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Sircar had made Parliament vibrant during his tenure as Speaker and had mentored countless lawyers through his legal career. He prayed for Almighty Allah’s mercy upon the departed soul and granting him to Jannatul Ferdous. Among others, treasury bench lawmaker A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon from Noakhali-1, opposition lawmaker Mohammad Najibur Rahman from Pabna-1 representing Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP lawmaker Akhter Hossen from Rangpur-4 also took part in the discussion. At the conclusion of the discussion, Munshiganj-3 lawmaker Md Kamruzzaman led a prayer seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Barrister Mohammad Jamiruddin Sircar. Later, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, adjourned the House after suspending all other business as a mark of respect to the late former Speaker.