Those trying to bring back a death-row convict through bombs and fear have not understood the people: Law Minister
Photo: Collected
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said that those trying to bring a death-row convict back to Bangladesh through bomb attacks and intimidation have still not understood the people of this country. According to him, the people of Bangladesh will no longer give the fascism and autocracy of the past any room for politics or terrorism in this country.
The ‘special general meeting’ of the Dhaka-based Jhenaidah Journalists’ Forum was held today at the National Press Club. The Law Minister said these things while speaking there as chief guest.
The Law Minister said many of those involved in bomb attacks and terrorist activities have already been arrested. The government has obtained information and data on who is involved in these acts and how. The people of the country are also seeing who has chosen the path of terrorism.
On the responsibility of journalism and the role of the media, Md Asaduzzaman said, ‘The media has earned people’s trust. When people are harassed somewhere and get no remedy, they turn to the media. Journalists must keep this trust. At the same time, they must speak out against unethical journalism and yellow journalism. Journalists must play a responsible role in this regard for the sake of their own honour and dignity and for the next generation. If the government’s cooperation is needed in this regard, it will be given.’
He further said, ‘Journalists must wield their pens for truth and justice and against injustice, drugs and corruption.’
The Law Minister noted that there have been no extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances in the country in nearly the past nine months. He said the government is also trying to move away from the culture of police filing false cases as complainants.
The minister urged the media to highlight the government’s positive initiatives to ensure people’s rights. In his words, it is not possible to change everything overnight, but the government wants to move along the right path based on accurate information. With that aim, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working with a resolve to build the country, and the government is in the field against all evil forces.
Stressing the organisational unity of the forum, the Law Minister said journalists should stay united by the pull of their roots despite differences in political views, paths and ideals. Obstructing the organisation’s programmes over questions of leadership or control is a self-destructive decision. He called on everyone to set aside differences and work together to take the organisation forward.
The minister also urged Jhenaidah journalists living in Dhaka to organise at least one or two programmes a year in their home district. In his view, this would benefit the district’s disadvantaged people, inspire local journalists and the new generation, and make journalists’ role in the district’s development more visible.
Md Rashed Khan, Assistant (Political) to the Prime Minister, was present at the event as special guest.
Forum President Mehedi Hasan Palash presided over the meeting, which was moderated by General Secretary Shahnaz Begum Poly. Senior journalist Khairul Alam Bokul also spoke.
Also present at the meeting were Raju Ahamed, joint general secretary of the central committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal; Md Kabir Hossain, senior vice-president of the forum and head of news at the daily Kalbela; Mosharraf Hossain, senior member and executive director of ATN News; Joint General Secretary Md Ziaur Rahman; Finance Secretary Masum Billah; and Office Secretary Rubel Parvez, along with other members of the forum.
Sources
Original report: BSS — https://www.bssnews.net/bangla/national/359531
