Dhaka, March 13 -- Abdul Hannan Masud, an MP of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has defended the Opposition members of parliament not rising while the national anthem was playing when the 13th parliament convened for the maiden session.

In a Facebook post on Friday morning, the NCP senior joint chief coordinator said opposition MPs were protesting when President Mohammed Shahabuddin entered the parliament on Thursday.

According to him, ruling party lawmakers stood up to greet the president while opposition members stayed seated and continued their protest.

"The national anthem started playing as the president entered parliament. The protesting opposition MPs did not realise it because they were busy protesting and there was a sound i...