Journalists yesterday demanded removal of Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali for making derogatory comment against reporters.
The newsmen also vowed to wage tougher movement if the government would not take stern action against the minister.
They came up with the demand while speaking at a protest rally at the Sylhet Press Club. The rally was presided over by Iqbal Siddique, president of Sylhet Press Club.
At the rally, journalists announced that they would refrain themselves from work for an hour during the day to protest the remark.
General Secretary of Sylhet Press Club Mohammad Sirajul Islam and Vice-President of the press club Azul Haque Manik, among others, addressed the rally.
In Hobiganj, journalists also held a protest rally at Nimtola and demanded removal of the minister within 48 hours. They said the government should take prompt measures against the minister as he frequently made derogatory comments against reporters.
The minister while addressing a discussion in Sylhet Municipality auditorium on Saturday afternoon termed journalists “Khobish” which roughly means “disgusting” or “dirty” in Bangla.
As soon as the minister made the comment, journalists boycotted the programme.
In his 40-minute speech, the minister also termed journalists non-educated and characterless.
Witnesses said the minister Mohosin hurled disparaging words at journalists from the very beginning of his speech.
Terming journalists stupid, the angry minister said: “All are filthy, corrupt and stupid. You all know my in-law’s house is in Sylhet and on my order people of Sylhet will chase you out.”
“I will see how much you can do after the formation of an independent broadcast commission,” Mohsin threatened journalists at the event.
