Sharply criticising the comments of BNP leaders, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said BNP leaders always confused and try to create confusion among the people about ongoing development activities of the country.
“Actually, they (BNP) are always confused and try to create confusion among the people. I would like to urge the BNP leaders to look into the statistics on the development of IMF and Asian Development Bank,” he told a meeting at the auditorium of Tathyo Bhaban in city’s Kakrail area.
State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hasan and Awami League Advisory Council Member Mozaffar Hossain Paltu also addressed the event organised by Bangladesh Sangbadpothro Parishad (BSP), reports BSS.
The Awami League leader alleged that the BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam, do not want to see the changes of fate of people that have happened in the last decade.
Hasan said per capita income of Bangladesh now stood at 2064 US dollar from 600 US dollar of one decade ago and the under poverty rate is now less 20 per cent compared to 41 per cent of one decade ago.
They will not see any confusion if they read these, the minister added.
“There will be criticism. But the exposure of ulterior motives behind creating confusion among the people would never bring any good to a country and a nation as well,” said Hasan.
About another comment of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, he said Mirza Fakhrul and Rizvi Ahmed are giving speeches every day in the morning and evening. Besides, Gayshwar Ray is also from time to time giving statements, he said, adding that they are telling that they have no talking rights even after giving statements three times daily.
“We had to face repression if a procession was brought out when we were in the opposition. I’ve many marks of injuries in my back. . . Paltu Bhai also has the marks,” he added.
He said the journey of democracy in the country has been continued under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. BNP has boycotted the elections and carried out terror acts in 2013, 2015 and 2018 to foil the democracy, he added.
Hasan, also AL joint general secretary, said BNP mainly didn’t take part in the 2018’s polls with an ulterior motive to foil democracy.
About media, the minister said the role of the fourth organ of a state is crucial to move the country ahead more and to reach the destination of Bangabandhu’s dream by 2041. Media plays a pivotal role in creating humanitarian ground and to open third eye of the society.
“For this, I would like to urge you (newsmen) to write against those people who are creating confusion about sculptures. The country has risen up against those who want to push back the state and those who hurt our culture”, said Hasan.
The progress of Bangladesh, he said, was stuck when they (BNP) was in power. “Now the country is moving ahead indomitably under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and we want to reach the country to the destination, dreamt by the Father of the Nation, through maintaining the development spree,” he added.
The information minister said a vast revolution has taken place in exploring the country’s media in last the decade. There are now about 1,250 newspapers in the country, which was 450 in 12 years ago and the number of television is 35 while it was 10 a decade ago, he added.
Besides, revolution has also taken place in online media and IPTV, he said, adding that there are also added some problems along with the revolution.
“We should face the problems in together. And we should remain alert about the quality of journalism and the media as well,” said Hasan.
Dr Murad said the government is very much cordial for the development and the welfare of mass media.
Department of Films and Publication director general S Golam Kibria, BSP general secretary MG Kibria Chowdhury, joint general secretary Sheikh Manjur Bari, Freedom Fighters Shahjahan Ali and Shafiqul Islam, among others, addressed the meeting with BSP president Md Shajalal in the chair.
Later, Hasan Mahmud inaugurated an exhibition on the Victory Day organised by Department of Films and Publications. He visited the exhibition along with the state minister and others.