Bangladesh interim govt warns media against publicising Sheikh Hasina's statements
Dhaka, Aug 22 (PTI): Bangladesh's interim government on Friday warned media outlets against broadcasting or publicising statements by Awami League leader and deposed premier Sheikh Hasina, saying that instant legal action will be taken against those violating the order.
"We are warning officials of media involved in such criminal dissemination activities and resolutely inform all that if anyone in future circulates Sheikh Hasina's statements, instant legal actions will be taken,” said a statement issued by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s press wing.
The announcement said the broadcasting and publicity of audio of Hasina on television channels, news and online portals is a "serious violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009".
It described Hasina as "a convicted criminal and fugitive accused of mass killings and crimes against humanity."
Hasina, who was ousted in a street movement on August 5, 2024, is being tried in absentia at the International Crimes Tribunal on several charges. The tribunal, however, has yet to convict her of any of those charges. Hasina's supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated.
In December, the tribunal banned the broadcasting of Hasina's statements.
Noting that some media outlets, defying the law and court orders, broadcast a speech of Hasina on Thursday, the statement said, "At this crucial moment in our nation's history, we cannot take the risk of creating any unnecessary confusion".
"It is important to remember that Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh after being accused of ordering the massacre of hundreds of peaceful protesters during the July uprising," it said.
Referring to preparations for holding a free and fair election, it said that the interim government is working to guide Bangladesh towards a future built on justice, accountability, and democratic integrity.
"For the first time in generations, the people of Bangladesh are preparing for truly free and fair elections," it added.
"At such a time, we urge the media outlet to exercise responsibility and restraint in broadcasting Sheikh Hasina's audios or speeches, which are designed to incite instability and violence in Bangladesh," it added.
Earlier this month, Yunus said the elections would be held in February, and the Election Commission subsequently announced that the polls would be held in the first week of February.
Former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the single largest party in Awami League’s absence after Yunus’ government disbanded its activities under an executive order.
An offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), which led protests against then-premier Sheikh Hasina, formed the National Citizen Party (NCP) in February, apparently with Yunus’ blessings. The NCP is believed to have developed ties with the far-right Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist groups against the BNP.
Despite assurances by Yunus and several of his advisers about free and fair polls within the announced deadline, a sense of uncertainty grew among political parties because of the comments and gestures of the NCP.
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'Rear-guard action': BJP over Mamata accepting sports minister's resignation after Messi event
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Tuesday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's accepting Aroop Biswas' resignation as the state sports minister is nothing but a "rear-guard action" to douse public anger over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event last week.
BJP co-in-charge for West Bengal Amit Malviya alleged that this is also an "open confession" that the Messi event fiasco was not accidental but a government-manufactured disaster, borne out of the poor governance of Banerjee, her ministers and the state bureaucracy.
Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Biswas' resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Messi's event last week, a senior leader of the ruling TMC said.
Biswas, who had written to the chief minister seeking to be relieved of his responsibilities as sports minister, will continue as a cabinet minister, retaining charge of the power department.
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Reacting to the development, Malviya said in a post on X, "TMC Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigns after the Messi fiasco and Mamata Banerjee accepts it in record time."
"Do not mistake this for accountability; this is nothing but a rear-guard action to douse public anger. anger! This is not 'Raj Dharma'," he added.
The BJP leader alleged that the incident was the outcome of "loot" of common people which is "so synonymous" with the TMC.
The incident was also the outcome of the "shameless VIP culture that TMC thrives on and deep-rooted cronyism promoted by Banerjee," he charged.
Malviya further alleged that Biswas' resignation exposes a "collective failure of Mamata Banerjee, her partisan bureaucracy, and her crony cabinet".
"This is a symbolic sacrifice, a political hoax, soon to be buried under layers of bureaucracy, with no justice, no accountability, and no remorse," the BJP leader said, adding, "No resignation will bring back the time lost, the money wasted, or the stolen chance for football lovers to witness Messi in Kolkata."
