Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the people think that Begum Khaleda Zia should be sent back to prison again as her party, the BNP, does not realize the generosity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"I saw a post on Facebook saying that BNP leaders including Begum Khaleda Zia and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are crossing the Padma River by swimming. It means that many people think they (BNP) should cross the river by swimming, not using the bridge as they opposed it and conspired to stop construction of the bridge, and they had tall talks that the Awami League government could not construct it," he said.
The minister was speaking to reporters after addressing a function of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) marking its 27th founding anniversary in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha area.
Hasan said Bangabandhu's daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has constructed the bridge for all the people. But the persons who opposed the bridge should seek apology, he added.
He said the BNP is staging protest rallies, but Begum Khaleda Zia had tried to kill the prime minister and the August 21 grenade attack proved it, he added.
He said the premier has shown her unprecedented generosity towards Begum Khaleda Zia by extending her release from jail for two years in spite of being a convict. But now many are raising questions why the premier is showing the generosity to those who do not know the value of the kindness, he added.
Therefore, Begum Khaleda Zia should be sent back to jail again, said Hasan, who is also Awami League joint general secretary.
Earlier, the minister and the DRU president inaugurated the function of the organization through hoisting the national and DRU flags, respectively.
Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yesmin and others addressed the inaugural function with DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu in the chair. DRU General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib conducted the function.
Hasan said DRU has remained united in its 27 years’ journey, stayed away from politics and it is not divided politically — all great successes of the organization.
The minister hoped that DRU will remain united in next 50 years also.
He said the state and society will flourish and benefit if the mass media works properly. For this Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken different steps for development of the mass media, he added.
The minister said a vast revolution has taken place in the mass media in the last 13 years. About 38 television channels are on air, while the number was only 10 some 13 years ago, he added.
He said currently there are about 12 FM radio stations and 18 community radio stations on air and the number of newspapers is about 1,200. The government is working for the betterment of the mass media, he added.
Hasan said: "I'm always beside with you."
