Information Minister
Don’t judge Rozina issue emotionally: Info Minister to journalists
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday urged journalists to look at the issue of Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam from a realistic point of view instead of considering it emotionally.
“Look at Rozina Islam issue from a realistic point of view instead of looking at it emotionally,” he told the leaders of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).
The BJUJ leaders met the minister at his Minto Road residence a day before a Dhaka court’s order on the bail petition of Rozina in a case filed against her under the Official Secrets Act.
Also read: Rozina to get fair judgement: FM tells CNN
BFUJ president Molla Jalal, acting secretary general, Abdul Majid, senior journalist Syed Ishtiaque Reza, Dhaka Union of Journalists’ (DUJ’) joint secretary Khairul Alam, executive member Ibrahim Khalil Khokon and senior journalist Motahar Hossain were, among others, present.
Earlier, the newly-elected committee of Directors Guild, an organisation of television drama directors, met the minister at his residence.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Hasan alleged that an anti-state quarter is trying to take advantage of the incident involving Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam in the Health Ministry on May 17.
Also read: Order on journalist Rozina Islam’s bail Sunday
"The Rozina Islam incident has been politicised as the anti-state quarters have become very active to take advantage of it by capitalising on it,” he said.
The minister said, “No one is above law -- neither a minister and a secretary nor Rozina Islam. We’ve to be careful so that the anti-state elements can’t use any of our activities as a weapon to harm the country."
Besides, he said, various anti-state elements, who conspire against the country and spread false propaganda staying abroad, have also been seen to be very active over the incident.
Also read: Drop all "oppressive charges" against Rozina: HRW
The minister said Khaleda Zia’s former deputy press secretary Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari got a reply from an official on overall media by asking a question at the regular press briefing at the UN Secretary General's Office. “There’s an evil effort to conduct a campaign over that reply that it was the UN’s concern over the Rozina Issue. “The statement of a UN official and the UN’s concern are not the same at all.”
Dr Hasan said he got information on social media about collecting official documents from the Shipping Ministry and Home Ministry by Rozina in the past the same way she did it in the Health Ministry on May 17 and managing work for her husband’s business. “As an investigation is going on, these things will come out.”
About BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s comments on the incident, Dr Hasan said as BNP is speaking on the Rozina issue and it is clear that there is an attempt to give it a political colour.
Will ensure justice for journalist Rozina: Info Minister
Journalist Rozina Islam, arrested under the Official Secrets Act on Monday, will get justice, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said on Wednesday.
“I’d request journalists to look at the matter rationally. Since a case has been filed, we’re seeing to it that she (Rozina) gets justice. Have faith in the government. The Prime Minister and I are determined and cordial to protect the honour of journalists,” he said at an event of Journalist Welfare Trust at Chattogram Press Club’s Bangabandhu Hall.
The 42-year-old Prothom Alo senior reporter, known for unearthing corruption, was kept detained at a room in the Secretariat for over five hours before being handed over to police.
She allegedly took photos of documents related to government negotiation to buy Covid-19 vaccine from various sources, according to case documents.
Also read: Quader urges journalists to be patient over Rozina issue
On Tuesday, a Dhaka court sent her to prison after rejecting the police's five-day remand plea. She is scheduled to appear before the court on Thursday.
Rozina Islam rejected the allegations saying, "I was, in fact, harassed at the Secretariat."
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, raised concerns over the journalist’s arrest. “It’s something that’s concerning,” he said in a regular briefing.
Journalists groups in Bangladesh and the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded her release.
Also read: DB to investigate case against Rozina
“We’re deeply alarmed that Bangladesh officials detained a journalist and filed a complaint under a draconian colonial-era law that carries ridiculously harsh penalties,” said Aliya Iftikhar, CPJ’s senior Asia researcher, reports AP.
Minister Mahmud said it is wrong to take away confidential documents.
“Anyone can seek information from the government through the Information Commission but he/she will not get information on a non-disclosure item. Taking such a secret document is wrong,” he said.
The minister said the government would ensure that she gets justice. “If anyone from the Health Ministry was responsible [for the incident], it’ll be unearthed through investigation,” he said.
Also read: That's something concerning: UN on Rozina's arrest
The health minister has explained what had happened with her, Mahmud said.
He asked why she was detained at the Secretariat for five hours? He said the health ministry has formed a committee to investigate the incident. “It’ll see if anyone had harassed her, what was her crime and if anyone from the ministry had committed any crime,” he said.
BNP-Jamaat behind recent Hefazat violence: Minister
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said the arrested Hefazat leaders recognised the involvement of BNP-Jamaat alliance in the violence carried out in the country last month.
"You’ve seen that the Economic Times of India and some local newspapers have reported on how BNP-Jamaat alliance actively participated in the violence and funded the miscreants…Pakistani intelligence also helped them,” he said.
Also read: Govt has link with Hefazat, alleges BNP
Hasan Mahmud came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after inaugurating a food distribution programme in his hometown Rangunia via online.
He said the recent violence were not isolated events, as those were part of a bigger plan by the BNP-Jamaat alliance to grab power by ousting the government.
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
"No one involved with the incident will be spared," he warned.
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