Dhaka, Sep 21 (Just News): Bangladesh Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday questioned pre-election timing of publication of a book by former chief justice SK Sinha that alleged he was forced to leave Bangladesh.
Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, expressed his views that Sinha should have avoided instigating anti-regime propaganda ahead of the general elections.
“It’s natural he would publish his book. However, my question is: Why has he done it sitting on foreign soil? Why has he chosen a pre-polls scenario (for publication)? It could have been published 2-3 months later,” the AL leader said during his visit to project site on the Dhaka-Tangail and the Dhaka-Mymensingh highways at Bhogra.
Former chief justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, who left the country in October and resigned from his post in November last year, has recently published a book, ‘A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy’. Its contents have also been viral.
Obaidul Quader claimed that Sinha voluntarily quit his position. “Still he might have some grievances in his mind,” he added.
The AL leader alleged that justice Sinha is disseminating ‘concocted information’ in his book and that he is helping with his propaganda the anti-government elements.
“If this one is his motive to publish this book at this stage, my point is this will raise question about his responsibility as a chief justice,” Quader insisted.
UNB adds: Quader, replying to a question over formation of ‘greater national unity’, said, “There’s nothing to worry about it ahead of the election. We believe the Hasina-led Awami League has earned the trust of people through development and good governance. Awami League, I think, will be able to take home ‘golden crops’.”
Dwelling on the just-enacted digital security law, the minister also said it will not create any obstacle to journalism.
“The new law aims to prevent digital crimes and ensure digital security. There’s nothing to be worried about it and we hope the law wouldn’t create an obstacle to journalism and the freedom of expression,” he said.
(Justnews/ys/1410hr)
