Several ministers and central leaders of the ruling Awami League on Friday criticized efforts by vested quarters to undermine the country, and said it is the government's responsibility to act against such subversion.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said ill-motivated attempts are being made to spread confusion over the economic prosperity of the country.
"Many people do not like the economic prosperity of Bangladesh, which has been achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the worthy daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. That is why attempts are being made to create confusion in the country," he told reporters at his Dewanji Pukur Par residence in Chittagong.
Hasan said Bangladesh is continuously moving towards prosperity as the poverty rate is decreasing in the country day by day.
"Some newspapers are publishing purpose-oriented negative news. Identified persons from abroad are trying to mislead people by spreading fabricated information about Bangladesh. But this propaganda cannot restrain Bangladesh from making progress," he added.
Noting that the intervention of diplomats in the internal affairs of a country is not appropriate, Hasan said they would be made aware of the Vienna Convention, if necessary.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said people want to see the progress of the country instead of bombs and anarchism.
"Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been in power for 14 consecutive years, and she has lifted the country to a new height. We have to continue development works," the minister said while addressing a function at Chandpur Sadar Upazila.
She said people do not want to go back and see 500 bombs in 500 places on the same day, adding: "Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 100 bridges and 100 roads on the same day. We want to see that development."
"We need the continuation of the current government led by Bangabandhu's daughter to take the country forward. Given the condition we are in today, we will be in a better condition in the future," the minister said.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said it is the government's responsibility to take proper measures if anyone attempts to attack the country's independence.
"...a quote of someone was printed in a newspaper disrespecting Independence Day although he did not make the statement. The quote was taken by giving him money, which was a criminal offense and was a conspiracy against the state and the government," he told a function at Kushtia Sadar Upazila auditorium.
The incident of March 26 is a conspiracy against the state, he claimed.
“Our emotions are connected with the great Independence Day. It is an extremely criminal act to publish news with false quotes mocking Independence Day. It is a conspiracy against the state and government. It is logical to take legal action against those involved. Our main place is freedom. Freedom is our existence,” said Hanif.
It is the responsibility of the government to take legal action against those involved in such incidents. "If anyone gets hurt after taking legal action, then they are also part of this conspiracy," he added.
Hanif also claimed that journalists have been enjoying optimum facilities during the tenure of the incumbent government.
“Conspiracy against Bangladesh is not new. There was also a conspiracy to bring down Sheikh Hasina during the 1/11 period…there were also many conspiracies about the Padma Bridge which were also printed in this newspaper at that time.”
Our Kushtia Correspondent Kudrote Khuda Sobuj contributed to the report
