Staff Reporter :
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday thanked Dr Kamal Hossain for realising the mistake that Jatiya Oikyafront had made by incorporating Jamaat-e-Islami in the recent 11th parliamentary elections.
‘I would like to thank Dr Kamal Hossain for realising their political mistake,’ said the minister while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.
JOF Chief Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday said it was his party’s mistake to nominate Jamaat-e-Islami men from JOF to participate in the recently ended national election.
Dr Hasan Mahmud further said, ‘JOF will make another mistake if their elected candidates do not take the oath for joining the 11th parliament. I hope they will realise it and join the parliament by taking the oath of office.’
‘A party is trying to drag the country backwards. I think no conspiracy against the country will work,’ he added.
Responding to a question about the recently enacted Digital Security Act, he said that the government will farther discuss on the issue to remove the panic that exists among the journalists about the act.
‘I always welcome all types of criticism. When I was environment minister, English daily the Daily Star published several reports criticising the ministry, even they published cartoons. But, we gave them an environment award. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) also awarded them, said the minister.
Mahmud said that blind or one-sided criticism is not useful. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has introduced the culture of welcoming any criticism. This time, Awami League has pledged that the country’s villages will be turned into cities. Coordinated efforts are required to take the country forward. Mass media also play a vital role in this effort.’
The minister also said a huge revolution had been made not only in the country’s online media but also in print, electronic and social media.
‘Around 8 crore people are using social media,’ he added.
