Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday urged BNP to sever all relations with Jamaat-e-Islami and seek apology to the nation for forming alliance with the anti-liberation force.
“I hope BNP will declare severing all relations with Jamaat and seek apology to the nation as they formed alliance and also ran the government with them,” he told the newsmen after attending a workshop at Information Commission office in city’s Agargaon.
Earlier, the minister addressed the workshop titled ‘Uses of RTI (Right to Information) Act in Investigative Journalism’ organized by Information Commission with Chief Information Commissioner Murtuza Ahmed in the chair.
Former Chief Information Commissioner Professor Dr Golam Rahman presented the keynote paper while Information Secretary Abdul Malek addressed it as special guest.
Hasan, also the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling Awami League, said the US Congress, in a report, specifically proposed severing all relations with Jamaat-e-Islami and their all affiliated organizations which are involved in financing militancy. The report also urged all political parties of the country, especially BNP, to cut relations with Jamaat, he added.
“It also urged the government to take necessary steps to this end,” the minister said, adding the government has already taken different steps on this issue.
The government has started the trial of war criminals and executed some verdicts. The banning of Jamaat is now under the consideration of the court, he added.
Besides, Hasan said the government has already taken steps against all affiliated organizations of Jamaat which are involved in financing militancy.
He said Awami League urged BNP several times to cut relations with Jamaat and the report of the US congress reflected the AL’s call. BNP patronizes the Jamaat. BNP had also formed government along with Jamaat. Jamaat is still a component of the BNP-led 22-party alliance, he added.
About the treatment of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Hasan said she is a former Prime Minister of the country and also the former Opposition Leader. And now, she is the chief of a big political party, he added.
“Every facility is being given to her. She gets her house maid. Everyday a doctor visits her in the jail for checkup. A physiotherapist and a nurse have been appointed for her. Besides, the treatment of Begum Zia is going on at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)… You know that Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader was also admitted at BSMMU and world famous Dr Devi Shethi appreciated its treatment.”
About shutting the airing of news by a private channel, Hasan said it is not right for a TV channel. They should give notice before a few months and pay salaries.
In the workshop, the minister said the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes in the power of people. “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had worked for the empowerment of the people. Now, his party Awami League and his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are also working for the empowerment of people.”
He said everyone has right to know information and only the AL government has ensured that right.
Information Commissioners Nepal Chandra Sarker and Suriya Begum also addressed the workshop.
