Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said none should be excited on the US visa policy as the policy is applicable against the persons who would create any obstacle to hold free and fair election.
He said, “The cooperation and multidimensional relations between Bangladesh and the USA is being strengthened day by day. Our relation with the USA is very good. And the recent meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the US President proved it. So there is no reason to become excited by anybody for the visa policy or something else like that.”
While addressing a memorial meeting at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) in Dhaka on Sunday the minister said this. Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote (BSJ) organized the meeting marking the 91st death anniversary of Pritilata Waddedar, one of the pioneers of the anti-British movement in the sub-continent.
Dr Hasan Mahmud said BNP is making different statements every day, mostly useless. Many countries had opposed the independence of Bangladesh. But the freedom fighters achieved it under the leadership of Bangabandhu, he added.
He added that conspiracies are being hatched against the country till now. But the country would march ahead under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina despite all conspiracies.
The information minister said BNP is the new platform of those who opposed independence in 1971. And, Jamaat-e-Islami, which took arms in favour of Pakistan, is the ally of BNP. BNP-Jamaat is now busy with hatching conspiracy and trying to foil the upcoming polls. But the upcoming poll would be held on time despite all conspiracies and it will be held in free, fair and neutral manner.
He mentioned, “We are welcoming the foreign observers to monitor the poll. But there is no problem if they don’t come,” he said adding that “the poll is ours and we will decide how the election will be held. We don’t need to learn about democracy from anyone. We know the democratic norms. Democracy must be continued under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.”
About anti-British revolutionary Pritilata and Surya Sen, Hasan Mahmud said, “Rebels like Pritilata and Surya Sen are our inspiration against anti-state activities.”
Paying deep tribute to Pritilata, the minister said Pritilata was a member of the revolutionary movement of Surya Sen in 1932, and she planned to attack the Pahartali European Club which had a signboard that read ‘Dogs and Indians are not allowed’. Surya Sen deputed Pritilata to lead the attack. On the day of attack, Pritilata attired with a male dress. After the operation, she blew whistle and ensured return of all attackers from the spot. As Pritilata was preparing to return back in the last she was shot by an English soldier from hiding position. All members of the team managed to come back safely. Being injured Pritilata choose to commit suicide by eating a ‘potassium cyanide’ to avert British captivity.
The minister said, “I’ve read the books on Pritilata and anti-British movements in Chattogram during my childhood and I had a dream of becoming a revolutionary at the teen age being imbued with the activities of Pritilata, Surya Sen and other revolutionaries. Out of the dream, later I joined in the student politics”.
BSJ president popular singer Mohammad Rafiqul Alam chaired the event. Amiong others, Awami League (AL) Jatiya Parishad member Advocate Boloram Poddar, AL Dhaka south city unit former general secretary Shahe Alam Murad, Ekushey Padak winners Manoranjan Ghoshal and Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury, Dhaka Union of Journalists acting president Manik Lal Ghosh and BSJ general secretary Arun Sarker Rana addressed the meeting.
