DHAKA, April 22, 2021 (BSS) – Information and Broadcasting Minister
and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hassan Mahmud today said
those who make statements in favour of hypocrisy and liars also fall
into that category.
While responding to a question about Nagorik Oikya convener
Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s demand for the release of Hefazat leaders, he
made the comment after addressing a webinar from his Minto Road
official residence here.
The AL sub-committee on forest and environment affairs arranged the
webinar titled ‘Restore Our Earth: Bangladesh Perspectives and the Way
Forward’ marking the World Earth Day, an official press release said.
Hasan said that Hefazat leaders are spoiled and it is proved today
as they promptly announced the legitimacy of Mamunul’s immoral and
un-Islamic acts in the light of Islam.
At the same time, he said, Hefazat men carried out vandalism across
the country, set fire on homes of innocent people, their properties,
vehicles and land offices, conducted attacks on fire stations and rail
and police stations, and removed walls on highways under their
leadership, but they denied all the things.
“They have denied the truth…so those who make statements in
favour of the liars, and spoiled and hypocritical leadership also fall
into that category,” the AL joint general secretary said.
Replying to another query from a journalist, Hasan said the Awami
League has been staying beside the country’s people for the last one
year under the directives of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and
the party will remain beside them.
In the first phase, he said, the AL distributed relief among them
and provided cash support to 1.25 crore people.
“About 110 AL lawmakers were infected with coronavirus and of them,
five died. Three presidium members of the party and some advisers died
of COVID-19,” the AL joint general secretary said.
He said the AL leaders were infected with coronavirus because they
stood by people and now the AL men are helping farmers harvest their
boro paddy.
In contrast, he said, those who talk about morality with the banners
of various organisations are not found with binoculars, Hasan said,
adding that their only task is to bring money from foreigners pledging
them to do something for the poor people and send them the pictures of
relief distribution among a very few people.
Speaking at the webinar, the information minister said people have
to change their attitude of using everything in their works as both
the earth and planet and mankind are in danger now.
He said participation of all to protect environment is an urgent
now and there is no alternative to increasing environmental literacy
to do so.
Chaired by AL subcommittee chairman Prof Dr Khandaker Bazlul Haque,
the webinar was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Center for
Advanced Studies (BCAS) chairman Dr Atiq Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman University of Science and Technology vice-chancellor
Prof AQM Mahbub, Prof Zakir Hossain of Bangladesh Agricultural
University, former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr Nasreen
Ahmad, architect Iqbal Habib and editor-in-chief of Gazi TV Syed
Ishtiaq Reza.
AL forest and environment affairs secretary Delwar Hossain moderated
the webinar.