Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Nahid Islam said Sheikh Hasina is responsible for the deaths of all the policemen in the July uprising.
"We urged Sheikh Hasina to hand over power peacefully. But she did not do so, causing a bloodbath in the country. Sniper rifles were used to open fire on protesting students and masses till noon on August 5," he told a function organized marking the 70th founding anniversary of Jatiya Press Club (JPC) in the capital, reports BSS.
Nahid said on August 5, Sheikh Hasina asked all her leaders, activists and police personnel to remain in the field but she fled the country without informing anyone.
Due to this decision of Sheikh Hasina, many police members died on that day, he added.
"We know about the various struggles of media and journalists in Bangladesh and on the contrary, we also know about various brokers of fascism and dictatorship. We got a new Bangladesh through July revolution.
The adviser said the media in Bangladesh never enjoyed so much freedom as they are enjoying now.
He said the spirit and aspirations of the July uprising are being removed from the media in a planned way.
"It is very unfortunate because many of our brothers and sisters are still suffering from injuries in the hospital. Many people are still embracing martyrdom (succumbing to their injuries), but the news of those martyred and injured in our media is decreasing day by day. They are being removed from the memory of the people," he said.
Nahid said several media outlets are referring to the martyrs as deceased in the July uprising which is very sad.
While all the notifications of the interim government have mentioned them as martyrs, the countrymen have termed them as martyrs, the media is skimping to call them martyrs, he said.
He also mentioned that the media is presenting them as deceased and killed before the countrymen.
The adviser said this mass uprising happened through the shedding of blood and a new history was created with the shedding of blood. Any conspiracy cannot erase this history, he added.
"We have seen many journalists embraced martyrdom and received injuries during the uprising. Many members of the press club extended their support to our mass uprising. Thanks and gratitude to all of them," said Nahid.
"At the time of the mass movement, we heard that news reports on our movement were not allowed to be broadcast or published and journalists were tortured in media houses because of covering news. We came to know that journalists are still under various pressures. Agents of fascism remain in those houses. They must be removed," he said.
Pointing out that building a new Bangladesh will not be possible without ensuring fascism-free media, Nahid said, "We are talking about the press freedom through which the cohorts of fascism must be eliminated by identifying them properly. We want media free from fascism."
The adviser said, "I told the 'Time' magazine that Sheikh Hasina is a psychopath and a bloodsucker, so it has been proven."
Nahid said they started their movement in a peaceful manner but the government's forces and their party men carried out attacks on them. "We repeatedly urged the government to accept our demand. But they decided to stand against us with guns," he added.
The adviser warned the fugitive Awami League leaders who are instigating people to wage movement against the interim government saying, "Sheikh Hasina will return to the county not to do politics rather only to walk to the gallows."
Noting the difference between press freedoms and making advocacy for fascism, Nahid said, "Do constructive criticism of the interim government but don't try to stand against students-people."
With due respect, the adviser recalled the journalists who lost their lives fighting for democracy and prayed for the eternal peace of their departed souls.
Nahid expressed his firm determination and commitment to building a new Bangladesh based on national consensus upholding the spirit of July revolution and aspirations of common people.
Later, the adviser cut a cake on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of the Jatiya Press Club.
Acting editor of the daily Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman, Jatiya Press Club (JPC) President Poet Hasan Hafiz, General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, former and current leaders and members of JPC were present on the occasion.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
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