Awami League suspends Barisal leader Saju for 'overenthusiastically' suing UNO

The Awami League has suspended its Barisal district unit leader Obaidullah Saju for 'overenthusiastically' starting a police case against a UNO for alleged distortion of Bangabandhu's photo.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 21 July 2017, 01:58 PM
Updated : 21 July 2017, 05:45 PM

The decision came from a meeting of local government nomination board, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the Ganabhaban on Friday afternoon, said Deputy Office Secretary Biplab Barua.

He said General Secretary Obaidul Quader informed the media about the development after the meeting.

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul Alam Hanif also confirmed bdnews24.com over telephone of Saju's suspension in the evening.

He said, "Saju has been suspended because he overenthusiastically filed a case against the UNO."

Hanif added it was also decided to issue a notice asking why the party should not expel the Barisal district unit religious affairs secretary for good.

Biplab Barua said the suspension order and show-cause notice would be sent to Barisal at the soonest. "He will be expelled from the party if he fails to come up with a satisfactory response."

A press release issued by Barua later said Saju has been suspended for his actions deemed in breach of the party's constitution and discipline.

Saju has also been given 15 days to submit his response to the show-cause notice.

UNO Tariq Salmon was in jail for several hours on Wednesday after Barisal Bar Association President Saju sued him for publishing a photo of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on an invitation card of an Independence Day programme of the local administration.

Saju started the case on Jun 7 alleging that Salmon, now stationed in Barguna, published the distorted photo of Bangabangdhu when he was the UNO of Barisal's Agailjharha Upazila.

In his defence, Salmon had said the portrait of Bangabandhu was drawn by a child and selected through an official drawing competition on the occasion of Independence Day. Later, it was printed on the back of the invitation card.

"This was aimed at creating love among children for Bangabandhu and growing their interest in drawing."

Salmon had appeared before Barisal Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on Wednesday in response to a summons. Judge Md Ali Hossain ordered him into jail.

The UNO, however, secured bail after two hours.

Saju's suspension on Friday came amidst widespread criticism on social media of his action against Salmon.

In an unprecedented move, Bangladesh Administrative Service Association on Thursday condemned Salmon's harassment and demanded action against those involved with the incident.

Prime Minister and Awami League chief Hasina was 'also surprised' by UNO Salmon's arrest over the incident, her Adviser HT Imam told BBC Bangla on Thursday.

Imam quoted the prime minister as saying that Salmon had 'done a great job by organising such competition among the fifth graders'. “You all can see before me the painting that was drawn there.”

"The prime minister said,” according to Imam, 'There is nothing distorted about that painting. This is worthy of an award. This officer (Salmon) also deserves an award, and we have done this to him instead?'"

Hasina also 'condemned' the actions against the UNO, Imam added.

Barisal Deputy Commissioner Gazi Md Saifuzzaman told bdnews24.com on Friday that following newspaper reports he had asked Tariq Salmon to explain why he published the 'distorted' photo of Bangabandhu.

Tariq submitted his reply to the show-cause within the stipulated time of one week, the DC said.

According to Saifuzzaman, the UNO said in the reply that the photo was of a painting of Bangabandhu by a child.

The DC added he conveyed the reply to his superiors.

[Additional reporting by Barisal Correspondent]