Daily Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman asserted that India’s foreign policy suffered a significant setback with the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime in the July Revolution. Speaking at the 4th MIU Media Olympiad at Manarat International University in Ashulia, Dhaka on Friday, Mahmudur Rahman stated that India will not easily accept this defeat and that ongoing conspiracies are at play, says a press release.
The event, organized by the university’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies, was attended by Mahmudur Rahman as the chief guest, with former senior secretary and Chairman of the Manarat International University Board of Trustees Mohammad Fazlur Rahman as the guest of honor. The ceremony was presided over by Rafiquzzaman Ruman, Head of the Department, and featured Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Abdur Rob as a special guest.
During his speech, the Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman emphasized the importance of unity in protecting Bangladesh’s freedom and sovereignty, especially against the backdrop of Indian influence. He described Sheikh Hasina as a "fascist" who, after fleeing to India, continues to plot against the country from there.
Mahmudur Rahman criticized the mainstream media in Bangladesh for following Western media's Islamophobic narratives and for being complicit in misleading news reports, particularly on issues involving ISKCON. He also called out both international media like BBC and Reuters, as well as Indian outlets, for spreading false information. He lamented the control exerted by India over Bangladesh’s media since independence, which he claimed prevents independent outlets like Daily Amar Desh from thriving despite their merit.
Additionally, Rahman accused Indian media figures such as Pinak Ranjan and Veena Sikri, as they are former high commissioners, of actively campaigning against Bangladesh.
Despite these challenges, Amar Desh Editor expressed optimism about the future of Bangladesh, stating that the country’s independence and sovereignty are secure in the hands of the youth. He also announced that Daily Amar Desh will resume publication on December 22 this year, carrying forward the spirit of the July-August Revolution and continuing its stance against Indian supremacy.
The event featured a media competition in the morning, followed by speeches from prominent journalists and media personalities addressing current issues in the media landscape. The ceremony concluded with a prize distribution and the unveiling of the cover of JMS Times, the department's student newspaper.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
