Dhaka: Tariq Rehman-led BNP government on Tuesday warned of action against Bangladeshi media if they report on Awami League chief Sheikh Hasinastatement. The warning from Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on information and broadcasting, came as sections of Bangladeshi media reported Hasina’s recent interview with an Indian news channel, in which she claimed she would return “this year”. He also told a press conference that there was no scope for the banned Awami League to carry out political activities, either alone or in the name of other organizations such as the “Exquisite or New Awami League, or the Trinamool Awami League”. Zahid said it would also be inappropriate to broadcast her remarks until the court lifts the ban on her speeches, adding that despite this, “many media outlets are still broadcasting these remarks, which means they are flouting the court order”. At the same time, Bangladesh’s main opposition party JeI and its ally NCP announced a month-long plan starting on July 2 and July 1 respectively to commemorate the second anniversary of the “uprising” and put forward their demands, including speeding up the trial of those responsible for the killings during the “uprising”.
