Special Response Battalion Bill, 2026 Tabled in Parliament Amid Strong Opposition

The Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday tabled the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Bill, 2026, amidst strong opposition from the parliamentary opposition benches against the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the formation of a newly named specialized unit.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed formally introduced the bill in parliament, stating that the legislation aims to establish the Special Response Battalion under the police force following the dissolution of RAB, alongside providing legal frameworks for its control, operation, discipline, and ancillary matters.

Prior to the introduction, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam strongly opposed the bill and urged the Speaker to deny permission for its presentation. He argued that dissolving RAB while retaining its existing personnel to form the SRB under a new banner is merely a rebranded continuation of the same force rather than a substantive reform.