DHAKA, Oct 8, 2020 (BSS)- Strongly criticizing the ill attempts of a vested quarter to politicize the social movement against the repression on women, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said their (vested quarter) target is not to ensure punishment to the culprits rather to realize their own interests using the issue.
“Some people are demanding the resignation of the government from their protest meetings against women repression . . . Actually, their objective is not to ensure punishment to the miscreants rather to realize their own interests,” he told newsmen at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in the capital.
Hasan said the government is determined to ensure exemplary and maximum punishment to the culprits responsible for recent incidents on women and children repression. “Prompt action has been taken against them. They were arrested and legal steps are being taken. It is normal to protest against such incidents and it is also easy for the government to take steps if there is protest,” he added.
Earlier, the information minister received the annual report of Bangladesh Press Council (BPC) from its Chairman Justice Mohammad Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed.
Information Secretary Kamrun Nahar, BPC members- senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Syed Ishtiaq Reza, BFUJ joint secretary general Abdul Mazid and Nure Jannat Akther Shima- and BPC secretary Shah Alam, among others, were present.
Hasan said if anyone demands the resignation of the government or makes comments about the Prime Minister, then it should be understood that their motive is not to ensure punishment to the miscreants rather their aim is to realize their own interests. These are ill attempts to turn the incidents into another issues, he added.
Urging all to remain alert over the issue, the information minister said the government is determined to ensure severe punishment to the culprits and it (government) is working to this end.
He said his ministry has been working to create mass awareness on this issue for long. And the women and children affairs ministry is also working in this regard, he said, adding that the awareness campaign would be intensified keeping in view the present context.
Besides, a committee has been formed from his ministry to ensure that nothing contrary to the socio-economic values and culture of the country is uploaded on various OTT and social media platforms, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
In the function, the information minister extended his thanks to the BPC for the annual report and said it will be presented before parliament as per the rules.
He said the BPC which was formed by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been working towards building a multi-dimensional, knowledge-based and egalitarian society under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The government is also working to update the Press Council Act, said Hasan.