Law minister alleges plot to bring Hasina back through bombings, terror
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said attempts are being made to bring back convicted and ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to the country by resorting to bomb attacks, terrorism, and intimidation.
He made these remarks as the chief guest during his speech at a special general meeting organized by the Jhenaidah Journalist Forum at the National Press Club, Dhaka on Friday.
Awami League president Hasina was ousted from power during the July Uprising 2024 and is living under the asylum of India. News agency Reuters had published a report saying she wants to return home in December.
News has also recently emerged that she requested the issuance of a passport through a London-based law firm. Amid such a situation, incidents of cocktail explosions and setting buses on fire have been occurring across the country.
Police allege that leaders and activists of the activity-banned Awami League, banned Jubo League, and Chhatra League are involved in these events. Meanwhile, many individuals have already been arrested on charges of involvement in sabotage.
The law minister added, “Those who think they can bring Hasina back to Bangladesh with flower petals by resorting to bombings and terrorist activities have not yet understood the people of Bangladesh. Under no circumstances will the people of Bangladesh allow the fallen fascist autocrat the opportunity to engage in politics or terrorism on this country’s soil.”
Saying people are watching who has chosen the path of terrorism, he noted, “Many of those carrying out bomb attacks have already been arrested. The government has obtained data and evidence regarding who is involved in these terrorist activities and how. People are also seeing who has chosen the path of terrorism.”
Addressing journalists, Asaduzzaman said journalism has reached a position of people’s trust. When people face harassment somewhere and receive no remedy, they come to the media. Journalists must maintain this position of trust. At the same time, one must voice out against yellow journalism and fake journalism in the name of journalism.
Calling upon journalists to step forward keeping the future in mind to curb such yellow journalism, he added, “For the sake of their own honor, dignity, and the interest of the next generation, journalists themselves need to step forward regarding this matter. If government cooperation is needed in this regard, it will be provided.”
Asaduzzaman noted that journalists must hold up their pens in favor of truth and justice, and against injustice, drugs, and corruption. Similarly, the government’s good work must also be highlighted.
Requesting that government criticism also be published if any, he said, “If there is anything negative in any action of the government, that must also be published. Even if that criticism goes against the government or myself, there is no issue.”
The law minister added that the government is trying to exit the culture of extrajudicial killings and false cases. For nearly the past nine months, the government in Bangladesh has not walked the path of extrajudicial killings or enforced disappearances. Efforts have also been made to break away from the police culture of filing false cases. Just as what the government is doing to ensure people’s rights must be highlighted, any mistake by the government must also be published in the news media.
He noted, “It is not possible to change everything overnight. However, the government wants to move forward on the right path based on accurate information. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working with determination to build Bangladesh toward that goal. The government is in the field against all evil forces along that path.”
PM’s Special Assistant (Political) Md Rashed Khan spoke as a special guest at the event. He said, “At the time when Nahid and Asif were being beaten at the Detective Branch (DB) office, Hasnat and Sarjis were drinking juice there. I have proof and records of everything. I have spoken with everyone who was there.”
Saying he has documented the history of the mass uprising, Rashed added, “I have documented a history regarding the mass uprising, and by collecting all data and evidence there, I have arrived at these findings. Ask Asif, ask Nahid whether Hasnat and Sarjis used to sit by the pond and drink juice or not?”
Expressing anger against NCP Convener and MP Nahid Islam, he noted, “Why does Nahid not bring forward the correct history of the mass uprising today? You blame Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, saying the correct history of 1971 was distorted.
“Why is Nahid not presenting the correct history of the 2024 mass uprising before the nation? Because if Nahid presents the correct history and writes the history of the mass uprising, then the Mir Jafars of the mass uprising are Hasnat and Sarjis.”
The meeting was presided over by President of Jhenaidah Journalist Forum, Dhaka, Mehedi Hasan Palash. General Secretary Shahnaj Begum Poli moderated the event. Senior journalist Khairul Alam Bokul delivered a speech. Senior Vice-President of the forum Md Kabir Hossain was present at the time.
