Awami League chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came down hard on Jatiya Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain, who threw tantrums at reporters on the Jamaat-e-Islami.
“It’s well understood how people, who threaten members of the media in response to a query, will act when in office,” a PMO spokesperson quoted her saying.
Hasina’s remarks came on Monday (Dec 17), when she was speaking to journalist Vaskar Bhadury on the sidelines of an Awami League-organised discussion on the 48th Victory Day, said Assistant Press Secretary to the PMO Asif Kabir told the BSS.
A senior reporter for the Jamuna Television, Bhadury was one of the journalists who came under fire from Dr Kamal on Friday (Dec 14) at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Dhaka’s Mirpur.
On Friday, Kamal, 81, drove to Mirpur to pay tribute to the martyred intellectuals of 1971 and faced a barrage of questions from the media.
“We are going to liberate the country from those who are working against the dream of liberation -- from lust and greed,” Kamal told reporters on the scene on Friday. “They will be defeated by the people of the country, even if they are strong.”
Reporters then drew his attention to the Jamaat-e-Islami that found its way into the election, blessed by the Kamal-led alliance, Jatiya Oikya Front.
Kamal said he would not say anything about the issue at the Shaheed Minar, a memorial to the intellectuals.
The reporters did not relent. Bhadury asked why Jamaat-e-Islami that lost its registration is competing in the election in association with the Jatiya Oikya Front.
Kamal then flew into rage and was visibly shaking with anger. “The question doesn’t arise at all. You’re arguing with useless talk. How much have you been paid to ask such questions? Who paid you?” said Kamal.
Two of the leaders, beside him, tried to calm down Kamal. But another journalist went on to ask more questions.
Kamal then blurted out: “Think of the martyrs. Think of the martyrs. Just keep your mouth shut, shut up!”