Hasnat warns media against airing Hasina’s speech

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of Students Against Discrimination, warned media outlets against broadcasting Sheikh Hasina’s speech today, saying it would be seen as facilitating her agenda.

“Even now, we see hesitation in naming the real perpetrators. Some media still refer to her as a ‘former prime minister’ — is she just a former leader, or is she the ‘Butcher of this Motherland’?” Hasnat said addressing the media.

He said this at a press conference today held at the office of the Students Against Discrimination in the capital’s Banglamotor.

Jatiya Nagorik Committee and the Students Against Discrimination arranged the press conference regarding the launch of a public opinion campaign titled “New Bangladesh Through Your Eyes”.

Terming Sheikh Hasina as the “butcher” of Bangladesh, Hasnat said, “She killed 2,000 people to hold onto power. Yet, the media does not call her a fascist murderer. If you fail to do so, you are still keeping alive the pro-Awami media structure.”

He further warned that there would be no rehabilitation of Hasina or fascism in Bangladesh.

“If any media outlet broadcasts Hasina’s speech, it will be assumed that they are still facilitating her and have taken a stance against the aspirations of the people,” added Hasnat.

He added that the mass uprising occurred because the people rejected the old order of so-called civility.

“After August 5, Sheikh Hasina and the Chhatra League men are no longer relevant in the country. If they were, they wouldn’t have had to flee that day,” said Hasnat.