“We had peacefully called for the transfer of power to Sheikh Hasina, but instead of doing so, she unleashed a flood of blood across the country. Until the afternoon of August 5th, snipers were used to fire at protesting students and civilians. On that day, Sheikh Hasina ordered all her party members and the police force to remain in the field, and then fled the country without informing anyone. Many police officers lost their lives due to her decision. The responsibility for all the police casualties during the movement falls on Sheikh Hasina.”
This statement was made by Mohammad Nahid Islam, an advisor to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, during an event marking the 70th anniversary of the National Press Club in Dhaka today.
Nahid Islam stated, “We are aware of the various struggles of the Bangladeshi media and journalists, and at the same time, we know of the collusions with fascism and dictatorship. We have gained a new Bangladesh through the July uprising. The freedom the media currently enjoys is unprecedented in Bangladesh’s history.”
He expressed concern that the media is deliberately erasing the spirit and aspirations of the July uprising. “This is extremely unfortunate because many of our brothers and sisters are still suffering in hospitals, some still being martyred. Yet, our media is gradually reducing their coverage. These martyrs and injured individuals are being removed from the public’s memory.”
He pointed out that several media outlets refer to the martyrs of the July uprising as merely the deceased, which he finds regrettable. “The interim government has officially declared them as martyrs, and the people of the country have recognized them as such. Yet, the media hesitates to call them martyrs and instead presents them to the public as the dead.”
The advisor further emphasized that the uprising was achieved through bloodshed, and a new history has been written in blood. He warned that no conspiracy can erase this history.
“We have seen many journalists become martyrs and injured during the uprising. Many members of the Press Club supported the uprising, and I express my gratitude to them. During that time, we heard that journalists were not allowed to broadcast the news, and many were tortured for collecting news. Even now, we know that journalists are under various pressures. Agents of fascism still remain in these media houses, and they must be expelled.”
Nahid Islam emphasized the need for a free media devoid of fascist collaborators. “We must identify and remove fascism’s agents from within the media and expose them to the public. We want a media free from fascism, as without such a media, it will be impossible to build a new Bangladesh.”
Speaking to Time Magazine, Nahid Islam stated, “Sheikh Hasina is a psychopath and a bloodsucker, and that has now been proven. We initially conducted a peaceful movement, but it was the government’s forces that attacked us first. We repeatedly urged them to meet our demands, but they forced us to face guns. You have witnessed how we were abducted, disappeared, and tortured.”
He added that Sheikh Hasina is inciting her supporters who remain in the country to carry out anti-government movements. “I want to tell them that Sheikh Hasina will never be able to return to Bangladesh for political purposes; she will only return to face the gallows. To those still trying to make life miserable for the public under the instigation of fugitive Awami League leaders, I warn you to be careful.”
“Freedom of the press is one thing, but speaking in favor of fascism is another,” he continued. “I urge you to constructively criticize the government, but do not stand against the people or the blood of the students and civilians.”
Nahid Islam expressed his gratitude to the courageous journalists of the Press Club and paid deep respect to those who were martyred while speaking for democracy, praying for their souls. He reiterated the commitment to building a new Bangladesh based on national unity, inspired by the aspirations of the July uprising.
The advisor cut a cake at the event to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Press Club.
The event was attended by numerous journalists, including Mahmudur Rahman, Acting Editor of Amar Desh, Hasan Hafiz, President of the National Press Club, Ayub Bhuiyan, General Secretary, and several former and current leaders of the National Press Club.
