Dhaka, Sept. 8 -- Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee has said that the remarks made by the jailed Mohammed Sifat and NCP's Nasiruddin Patwary, which he said involved abusive language and insults against political opponents, amount to a 'criminal offence.'

"Insulting and disrespecting opponents in this manner by using abusive language - we have never seen this before. Sifat and Patwary may be people involved in politics, but they cannot be considered politicians. What they have said is not a political statement. It is a criminal offence," he said.

The minister made the remarks today while speaking at the Zia Memorial Book Fair held at Bangla Academy.

Recalling his political experience, Anee said, "In my political life, we we...