BNP teaches youths to ruin history, culture: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday sharply criticised BNP’s vandalism in Chattogram, saying Mirza Fakhrul Islam and other BNP leaders are teaching the youths to destroy the country’s history, heritage and culture and arson terrorism.

“BNP activists vandalised photo frames and mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Master Da Surya Sen, Maulana Maniruzzaman and other prominent persons who played pivotal roles in historic movements, including the anti-British movement and the great Liberation War. It means BNP doesn’t respect our history, culture and heritage. They want to destroy those,”

“My question is - what are they teaching to the youths? Are they teaching vandalism and arson terrorism?” he said.

The minister made the remarks while exchanging views with reporters after holding a meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Sangbadpathra Parishad (BSP) at the conference room of the ministry at the secretariat in Dhaka, reports BSS.

Hasan said about hundred paintings containing the history and heritage have been placed in Jamalakhan area of Chattogram city. There is no other place in the country where the history and heritage are displayed such beautifully, he added.

He said the full history of the country has been brought in these paintings on the walls, but they have vandalised those on the way to joining a youth rally. A case has already been lodged and the government is determined to take tough actions against the culprits, he added.

Replying to another query over the health issue of Begum Khaleda Zia, the minister said from the statements of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, it seems that he passed FRCS secretly and became a specialist doctor. But, the specialist doctors have said that her health condition is stable while Mirza Fakhrul is claiming that Begum Khaleda Zia is in a critical condition, he added.

Hasan said BNP leaders have made Begum Zia a commodity of politics and it is very humiliating for her. “With due respect to Begum Khaleda Zia, I would like to urge the BNP leaders - please don’t make Begum Zia’s health issue as commodity of politics,” said the ruling party leader.

Replying to another query over a letter of the six US congressmen on election issue of Bangladesh, the minister said BNP had earlier published fake letters in the name of congressmen.

He said the authenticity of the letter of the congressmen is in question while the State Department says it did not receive the letter.

In the meeting BSP President and Awami League Advisory Council Member Mozaffar Hossain Paltu and general secretary GM Kibria raised different demands to the minister.

In his speech, the information minister said a syndicate has been created centering the newsprint business in the country. Even, it was not possible to begin production in the Khulna Newspaper Mill despite several initiatives by the government due to the syndicate, Hasan added.

He said, “I discussed this issue with the prime minister several times. I think everyone needs to be vocal on this.”