Government scared of Oikya Front : Moudud

BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Friday Criticised the government for denying Oikya Front permission for holding its rally in Sylhet on 23 October and said it has exposed how much the government's popularity has waned, reports UNB.

"We're observing that the government has got unnerved following the formation of our front. Their various remarks have exposed that ....they seriously fear the national unity and people," Moudud said while speaking at a programme at the National Press Club organised by Bangladesh Youth Forum.

Moudud, also a standing committee member of BNP, alleged that the government has enacted two 'coercive' laws--Digital Security Act and Broadcast Bill--to make media 'inactive' ahead of the national election.

"The government has formulated the Digital Security Act and Broadcast Bill ahead of the election...why did you formulate such laws? The main motive behind is to make media inactive by establishing the government's fully control," he said.

Moudud also said the Digital Security Act made journalists and people scared.

Referring to section 32 of the Act, he said journalists can be sentenced to 14 years' jail and fined Tk 2.5 million for publishing any government document on its corruption and misdeeds in the media.

"The section 43 is more dangerous where law enforcers are given limitless power as they'll be able to raid any office and house and seize computers and other equipment and arrest anyone without any warrant. It's a direct interference in the press freedom," the BNP leader observed.

On Monday, the cabinet approved in principle the draft Broadcast Bill 2018. Under the bill, if anyone broadcasts false or confusing information in a discussion programme or anything against the spirit and principles of the Liberation War or against the state policy, he or she will face a maximum jail term of three years or a fine of Tk 50 million or both.

Earlier on 8 October, president Abdul Hamid signed the Digital Security Bill turning it into a law.