Nation is happy with metro rail opening, but BNP is not happy: Hasan Mahmud

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said that though the whole nation is expressing happiness over the launch of the metro rail service in the capital, BNP could have not been happy over the country’s this progress.

“Today, the whole country is happy but they could have not been so. This politics of misery is a hindrance in the development and progress of the country,” he said.

Dr Hasan, also ruling Awami League (AL) joint general secretary, made the remarks while speaking at the cheque distribution programme of Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust (BJWT) as the chief guest at Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) auditorium in the city, reports BSS.

He said that BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan held a press conference yesterday and presented false information regarding the fare of metro services in different countries.

The minister requested the journalists to consider the criticism of opposition parties apart from the ruling ones for logical reasons since they (oppositions) also have some responsibilities, saying that “You should see both sides”.

“The Awami League government does not assess the journalists shutting one eye. Even those journalists, who are busy with movements in front of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) to topple the government, are being given the government’s grants,” Dr Hasan said.

Noting that 26 journalists were fired from the state-owned Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) in 2001 with a single signature during the BNP regime, he said not a single journalist having a different opinion was not sacked during the tenure of the Awami League government.

“The BJWT, created by media-friendly Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is assisting all journalists irrespective of party and view,” the minister added.

Presided over by BJWT Managing Director Shuvash Chanda (Badol), JPC President Farida Yeasmin, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Dip Azad, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) former President Quddus Afrad, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta and Dainik Sangbad Managing Editor Kashem Humayun were present at the function, among others.

At the function, over Taka 26.8 million was distributed among 304 journalists and journalists’ families across the country in the first phase of this fiscal year. Besides, 684 journalists were given Taka 10,000 each as one-time assistance from Prime Minister’s Covid-19 grant fund.

The BJWT, established in 2014, has so far distributed over Taka 348.1 million among 11,458 journalists and journalists’ families across the country as welfare and Covid-19 grants since 2015-16.

Later, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud joined a discussion and reception accorded to dignitaries and meritorious students at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium in the city.

Greater Noakhali Samity organised the programme titled ‘Anubhabe Hridaye Bangabandhu’ marking Victory Day with its President Mirza Galib Ahmed in the chair.

Dr Hasan handed over the honorary mementoes to the dignitaries, including Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) Chairman Sohrab Hossain and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed, and the children of the Noakhali Samity members.