Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP is making evil attempts to take political advantage capitalising on journalist Rozina Islam issue after failing in every sphere, including polls and movements.
“Those, who carried out attacks on objective journalism repeatedly and even lodged sedition case, are now shading crocodile tears centring Rozina issue,” he said while exchanging views with journalist leaders on contemporary issues at the secretariat, reports BSS.
Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is considering the Rozina issue on humanitarian ground and she felt that the journalist should not be taken on remand.
The court has taken its proper decision and the government side didn’t oppose her bail, he said.
Terming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government as a journalist friendly one, the minister said the government will not do anything that will go against the journalist community.
“We don’t want any animosity or conflict between the government and the media rather we want to keep good term with all. It will be good for the government as well as the media,” he said.
Asked about the issues discussed during the view exchange meeting, Quader said they discussed several matters including Rozina Islam issue, newspaper industry, rights of journalists and their demands.
Journalist leaders apprised him of the matters as the ruling party’s general secretary, he said.
About the demand of withdrawing case against Rozina Islam, the minister said: “Actually, there are concerned ministries including information, law and home ministries. The prime minister should be apprised of some issues. They (journalist leaders) explained their problems and demands and I will convey those to the premier and talk with her to resolve the issues.”
Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) former President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yasmin, BFUJ former Secretary General Omar Faruque, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Quddus Afrad, General Secretary Sajjad Alam Khan Tapu, BFUJ acting Secretary General Abdul Majid, Broadcast Journalist Centre Trustee Rezwanul Haque Raza, Member Secretary Shakil Ahmed and Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) General Secretary Mashiur Rahman Khan were present, among the journalist leaders, on the occasion.