He also termed the seven-point demand of the new alliance ‘unfortunate’ for the nation and the country’s politics. ”They’ve placed proposals for removing the Sheikh Hasina government and rehabilitating Razakars, BNP and militants in the politics. This is unfortunate for the nation and politics.”
While talking to reporters at the Secretariat, Inu also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been informed about the concerns of journalists over the Digital Security Act and they will sit with the Sampadak Parishad (Editors’ Council) after the Cabinet discusses the issue.
On Saturday, BNP, Jatiya Oikya Prokriya and a faction of Jukta Front launched a new opposition alliance, 'Jatiya Oikya Front', ahead of the national election without Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury.
The Information Minister described the seven-point demand and 11-point goal of the Jatiya Oikya Front as a scheme to bring the corrupt, militants and terrorists into the politics and a proposal to bring an abnormal government in power. “This is not an alliance, rather a plot.”
He criticised Dr Kamal Hossain for keeping mum over BNP’s alliance with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. “The crux of their demands is to bring an abnormal government by triggering instability before the election.”
About the new alliance’s demand for releasing political prisoners, Inu said there is no political prisoner in the country. “Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman are identified and recognised criminals. They’ve placed the seven demands for their release.”
Turning to journalists’ concerns over the Digital Security Act, he said they had a meeting with the Sampadak Parishad and leaders of BFUJ, DUJ and listened to their concerns. “Two cabinet meetings have been held by the time. We informed the Prime Minister of their concerns but there’s no atmosphere for discussion over the issue.”
Expressing the hope that there will be discussion on the issue anytime, the Information Minister said they will again sit with the Sampadak Parishad and the journalist leaders after the discussion.
He said although the President signed the Digital Security Bill into law, it can be amended anytime. “It’s his routine work.”
Asked about the Sampadak Parishad’s claim that three ministers did not keep their promise over the Digital Security Act, Inu termed it unfortunate.
The 'Digital Security Bill’ was passed in Parliament on September 19 and President Abdul Hamid assented to the Bill on October 8.
On September 30, Inu, Law Minister Anisul Huq and Posts, Telecommunications and IT Minister Mustafa Jabbar and Prime Minister's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury held a meeting with 13 editors of different newspapers over act.
After the meeting, Anisul had said Sampadak Parishad’s objections to nine sections of the ‘Digital Security Act’ and its demand for amending those would be placed before the Cabinet for discussions and sit with the editors again over the terms of reference to be given by the Cabinet.
However, there was no discussion the issue although two Cabinet meetings were held by the time.
On Saturday, the Sampadak Parishad announced to form a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on October 15, demanding amendment to the nine sections.