Home Minister Slams Social Media ‘Smear Culture’ and Unchecked Online Abuse
Home Minister Salah Uddin Ahmed has sharply criticized YouTubers and expressed strong anger and concern over what he described as “unchecked propaganda” and a “culture of abuse” in the name of personal freedom on online social media platforms.
He made these remarks on Thursday, April 30, while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s speech on the 25th day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament. During his speech, he also spoke in Hindi several times.
Salah Uddin Ahmed said, “What is happening nowadays on social media in the name of freedom of speech—if it cannot be controlled, if we cannot regulate ourselves, I do not know where this nation will end up. Some are inside the country, some are abroad, and some are within our own homes. It seems as if only they have freedom of speech, while we are all innocent people here. If we counter them, the abuse only intensifies. The way prime minister is being dragged along with his wife and daughter into a disgraceful stream in the name of freedom is deeply concerning.”
He added, “If this is not controlled now, the country’s social and religious harmony will be destroyed. No one can progress far in a competition of abuse, and if this misconduct continues, our long-cherished culture will be ruined.”
The minister further stated, “Although the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, it is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of state security and public order. However, what is happening now in the name of freedom must be brought strictly under the law as ‘subject to reasonable restriction.’”
Addressing young politicians of the National Citizens Party (NCP), he said, “Just as one party fled after trading the spirit of 1971, no one should engage in political business using the spirit of July. The July revolution belongs to everyone, and its credit does not belong to any specific group. Rather, those who shed blood, were disappeared, or faced persecution from 2009 to 2024 are all equal stakeholders.”
“We are becoming unremembered by dividing ourselves into freedom fighters and non-freedom fighters, into 1971 and 1972, and forgetting the stories of oppression, repression, and looting during the Awami League period,” he added.
Referring to the interim government period, the Home Minister said he had compromised on various matters amid concerns that elections might not be held under the pretext of reforms. “If they prevent elections in the name of reforms, I signed the July National Charter by compromising on everything. We came together and reached an understanding.”
Mentioning that the opposition party has formed a shadow cabinet, Salah Uddin Ahmed said, “There are two benefits to this. One is that it increases a sense of responsibility. The other is that it provides a sense of satisfaction of being a minister. We congratulate them. I believe there is a ‘Home Minister shadow’ directly opposite me. Let us, as a shadow ministry, exchange information, maintain communication, and engage in dialogue.”
Referring to the Reform Commission, he said, “Some senior intellectuals with white hair arrived from abroad with baskets full of so-called magical reforms. Through discussions within the Reform Commission, the July National Charter was formulated. It is said there was no ‘note of dissent.’ However, on the day of deciding on Article 70, it was agreed that the July Charter would be adopted with a note of dissent. That note of dissent was signed—you signed it, and so did we. Let us now implement that July Charter.”
The minister also said, “Today I newly discovered that our honorable Member of Parliament Abdullah Mohammad Taher is a child freedom fighter. I welcome him. Our opposition leader claims to be a child of a martyr’s family, which I appreciate. There are also several freedom fighters on that side.”
DBTech/SH/EK/OR
