I drew my licensed weapon in self-defence, I did no wrong: Ishraq at his resignation press conference

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain has claimed he drew his licensed firearm purely for his own protection during the controversial anti-drug operation in which he was seen carrying a weapon. He offered the explanation at a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday afternoon, where he announced his resignation.

Earlier, at 8:36am, Ishraq had hinted at the resignation in a Facebook post. The elder son of Sadek Hossain Khoka, the last mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation, and the MP for Dhaka-6, he wrote that he would make the final announcement of his resignation as state minister at the National Press Club at 2pm and face journalists.

At the press conference, he said of the weapon incident that the place had turned into a hub of drugs, where drug dealers use weapons. That, he said, was why he took out his own licensed weapon for his own security.

He claimed he kept the weapon in hand only for as long as was necessary for his safety. "I do not think I did anything wrong. Still, if anyone was hurt by this incident, I express my sorrow," he said.

Ishraq also explained the thinking behind his resignation. He said he had himself told the Prime Minister of his wish to resign: "I told the Prime Minister that I want to resign in order to resist drugs — these drugs are overshadowing your work. I will build a social resistance against drugs. Even at the risk of my life, I will continue the war against drugs."

He also spoke of his meeting with the Prime Minister. Ishraq said he had sought the Prime Minister's permission to resign as state minister, and that the Prime Minister told him: go, eradicate drugs. He said he would work to eliminate drugs empty-handed from now on.

In other words, Ishraq Hossain's message is that while he is leaving the ministry, he is not stepping back from anti-drug activism. According to his remarks, his fight will now continue through social resistance, from outside government office.

The controversy over joining an operation while carrying a weapon is what ultimately formed the backdrop to his resignation. Facing criticism, he explained the incident but did not step back from his decision to leave office.

Whether it is appropriate for a state minister to publicly take part in an operation carrying a weapon — even a licensed one — was the central question of the controversy. In his explanation, Ishraq declined to accept that he had done wrong, while expressing sorrow if anyone had been hurt by the incident.

All in all, on the day of his resignation announcement, Ishraq Hossain made his position clear on both counts — the weapon was drawn for self-defence, and the office is being given up to widen the fight against drugs. What remains to be seen is how much shape his declared social-resistance campaign takes on the ground now that he has left the ministry.