Treasury bench members, Jasod and independent MPs on Sunday demanded trial of The Daily Star editor
Mahfuz Anam and his resignation for running false reports on Sheikh Hasina after the 1/11 political changeover.
They said sedition charges should be brought against Mahfuz Anam as he ‘committed sedition’ getting involved in a ‘conspiracy’ to establish an unconstitutional government through destroying democracy.
Awami League MP Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh raised the issue taking floor on point of order after Magrib recess.
Taposh said Mahfuz Anam has ‘confessed’ without any hesitation that he ran stories in his newspaper, The Daily Star, in 2007 on the basis of fabricated facts of corruption provided by the then DGFI to create grounds to remove Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from politics, detain in jail and file false cases against her.
“I demand resignation of Mahfuz Anam for publishing false allegation, fabricated and false stories. I also demanded that the newspaper be shut immediately.”
People like Mahfuz Anam have been conspiring to bring unconstitutional government and destroy democracy throughout their lives, he said. Referring to an article of the Constitution, Taposh said his (Mahfuz Anam) activities are obviously a seditious offence as per the Constitution. So, he should be tried on sedition charge, the MP added.
“Journalism is a noble profession, but he has disgraced the profession. So, he has no right to be a journalist any more. He’ll have to be expelled from journalism for disgracing it,” he said. Terming owner of The Daily Star Latifur Rahman corrupt, the MP said connection of Latifur Rahman with terrorist group ULFA was also found. So, actions should be taken against them, too, he added.
Participating in the discussion, Jasod MP Moin Uddin Khan Badal said, “If you (Mahfuz Anam) have dignity enough, you should resign as The Daily Star editor.” Independent MP Haji Md Selim demanded the trial of those who assisted the 1/11 government acting like Al-Shams, Al-Badar and Razakars in 1971.
AL MPs Shamsul Haque Tuku, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon, Waresat Hussain Belal and Independent MP Nurjahan Begum also jointed the discussion.
