Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that some Indian media outlets appear to be more supportive of Sheikh Hasina than the Awami League itself.
In an exclusive interview with Banglanews24.com on Thursday (January 2), at the Chief Adviser’s office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, he said, “Indian media refuses to acknowledge the truth about Sheikh Hasina’s misdeeds and her regime’s oppressive rule. They are even denying blatant truths. She has drowned the entire nation in corruption, establishing a kleptocracy. Despite these deeds being evident and witnessed by millions, the Indian media chooses not to acknowledge them.”
On the claim made by an Indian newspaper regarding Pakistan’s ISI operatives infiltrating Bangladesh, Shafiqul Alam said, “Indian media (on Bangladesh issues) is spreading a lot of incorrect and misleading information. Indian journalists lack adequate information about Bangladesh. During a phone call, Professor Yunus had requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh and report after verifying facts. However, they are not coming.”
Shafiqul Alam expressed concern over the misinformation being spread by some Indian media and commented, “Their actions raise questions about whether this is intentional or if it’s due to lingering affection for the fallen authoritarian government.”
Addressing a report from Indian Defense Research Wing (IDRW) website alleging Bangladesh’s purchase of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) from Pakistan, Alam said, “These are baseless, unsubstantiated reports. There are no sources, and nothing concrete backs these claims. Indian journalists should have contacted us before publishing such reports. They could have verified facts from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. However, they did not, and instead, they are deliberately spreading false and misleading information.”
“We encourage Indian journalists to establish bureau offices in Bangladesh and assign representatives to report after firsthand observation. We welcome them and assure quick visa processing within an hour,” he added.
Responding to a question about India’s alleged disinformation campaign concerning Bangladesh, Alam said, “Indian journalism has a long history with commendable achievements, but some Indian media outlets now operate with extreme bias. Certain outlets propagate communal hatred, which has no place in progressive societies.”
Read the 1st part of the Interview
Regarding the disinformation campaign in India is linked to minority or Pakistan issues, Alam replied, “I cannot provide a definitive explanation. However, it appears Indian media does not want to acknowledge the truth about Sheikh Hasina’s misrule. Between July and August, nearly 2,000 murders occurred, and over 3,000 disappearances have been reported over the last 15 years. Around 50-60 lakh opposition members were implicated in false cases, and their families have suffered greatly. Despite these being undeniable truths, Indian media remains silent.”
He refuted claims linking recent attacks on minorities with remarks made by former RAW agent Lakshman Singh Bisht (Lucky Bisht) on an Indian television show, saying, “These are unfounded allegations aimed at creating unnecessary panic. We have been transparent about the actions taken against such incidents, including arrests.”
Regarding reports of a meeting between India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Bangladesh’s Army Chief Lieutenant General Waqar Uzzaman, he said, “The reports are not backed by credible sources. However, Misri did meet with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations.”
He dismissed speculations about deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations, calling them media assumptions.
Shafiqul Alam over Bangladesh using Maldives ports for exports instead of Indian ports, said, “This is purely an economical decision and has no political implications.”
On recent fires at the Secretariat, Alam ruled out sabotage, explaining, “Investigations revealed the fire was caused by a loose connection and sparks. Analysis of CCTV footage confirmed this.”
Addressing criticism over the appointment of Mustafa Sarwar Farooki as the Adviser for Cultural Affairs, Alam said, “Farooki is a renowned filmmaker who understands Bangladesh’s culture deeply. His inclusion in the advisory council is a significant decision for the country.”
When asked about the future of journalism in Bangladesh, Alam remarked, “Journalists must work fearlessly and uphold their responsibility to inform the public truthfully. We want press freedom to be institutionalized.”
He acknowledged the low pay of junior journalists and said, “We aim to establish satisfactory salary standards and ensure content theft is addressed to make journalism more valued and professional.”
Alam concluded by emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering an environment where journalism can thrive independently and responsibly.
Read the 1st part of the Interview
BDST: 2255 HRS, JAN 04, 2024
MSK
