AN influential Bangladeshi politician resigned today after a sexist tirade against the ailing opposition leader’s granddaughter and accusations that he threatened a prominent actress with rape.

State Information Minister Murad Hassan launched into a diatribe against Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister jailed by arch-rival and current premier Sheikh Hasina, during a talk show appearance broadcast on a pro-government Facebook page last week.

He then turned his attention to Zia’s granddaughter, who lives in exile in London, telling the audience that the 26-year-old “cannot sleep at night without sleeping with black men”.

Footage of the broadcast garnered more than five million views in three days and was widely condemned, with a student group burning his effigy at the elite Dhaka University.

Protests intensified after the online publication of a phone conversation purportedly containing a recording of the minister threatening to drag popular film actress Mahiya Mahi into a five-star hotel and rape her.

The actress said the clip is authentic in a video published on her Facebook page.

“I was very embarrassed that day… And today I am embarrassed again. It has belittled me in front of my countrymen.”

Hassan announced his resignation in a letter “citing personal causes” today, said Information Ministry spokesman Mohammad Gias Uddin.

Ruling Awami League deputy leader Obaidul Quader said Hasina has personally demanded Hassan’s resignation.

Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party had earlier demanded his prosecution for his comments against Zia’s granddaughter.

“We wonder how a cabinet member and public representative can make comments like a racist and women-hater,” said Tamanna Khan Popy, who heads feminist group Naripokkho, in a statement.

AFP was unable to contact Hassan for comment.

Hassan stood by his remarks at first, but later expressed regrets.

“Forgive me if I have done anything wrong or if my words have hurt my mothers and sisters,” he wrote on his Facebook page on today. – AFP, December 7, 2021.