PM vows trial for attempt to change course of student protests

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her resolve to try those who “tried to destabilise the country by using” children protesting for safe roads.

“The people, who want to shoot from the children’s shoulder, push the people of Bangladesh towards a dark future, obstruct the journey towards light – won't they be tried on this soil no matter how big they are?” she asked.

Speaking at a National Mourning Day programme in Dhaka on Thursday, Hasina said the government had taken prompt measures like arresting the transport workers involved in the deaths of two students in the July 29 road accident that triggered the road safety movement.

“Then who were instigating them? They tried to create an abnormal situation through provocative lies by taking the advantage of Digital Bangladesh initiative,” she said, referring to spread of false rumours on the social media during the protests.

She was critical of Shahidul Alam even though she did not name the photographer-activist but mentioned his relatives for his role in the protests.

The Drik Gallery founder has been arrested on charges of attempting to spread ‘fear and panic’ over the internet using ‘fantastical and provocative lies’ during the protests.

Shahidul, who is also the founder of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, went live on Facebook discussing the clashes in the Jigatala amidst student protests for road safety on Aug 4-5.

He also criticised the government during an interview with Al Jazeera TV.

Police have arrested total 97 people in 51 cases over alleged violence and instigation on the social media during the student protests for safe roads in Dhaka.

Besides Shahidul, actress and model Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed and BUET student Daiyan Nafis have been arrested for allegedly trying to change the course of the non-political student movement through social media posts.

Photo: PID

Hasina said, “Many of those who had done these (allegedly incited the protests) are very famous, big intellectuals; but what is their blood connection?  

“He (Shahidul) is a nephew of Sabur Khan (politician Khan A Sabur) who did not want Bangladesh’s freedom. Many of the descendants of the people who believe in Pakistani ideals are involved in this (inciting protests),” she said. 

Hasina was equally critical of those in Bangladesh and abroad who are demanding release of Shahidul.

“It is the state’s duty to take steps against those, no matter how big they are, who commit a crime by provoking and using innocent children to achieve their vested interests.

“You are wrong if you think crimes committed by famous writers, journalists and pundits are not crimes. Why should they get protection?” the prime minister asked.  

Addressing those who are writing for Shahidul’s release, Hasina said, “It’s good you can write and own a newspaper. Everyone enjoys enough freedom of expression during the times of our government. But do they realise what crimes those people were committing, in what direction they were taking the country?” 

“They can be wise, intelligent, famous writers, but shouldn’t they have the least responsibility towards their country? Should we admire those who try to achieve political goals by using children? And should it be wrong to take action against them?” Hasina asked.   

The prime minister alerted the people of the country to those who are “conspiring against Bangladesh for generations”.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol

She alleged many outsiders infiltrated the protests only by wearing school uniforms.

She said she saw a photo on the social media that a woman was feeding a protester. “But if you look closely, you will see there was another shirt under the student’s uniform,” Hasina said.

“Why did these adults want to become little children? What’s the motive? They took out machetes, axes, stones, sticks from their backpacks. School children do not carry these things. Which school are they from? And who are wailing for these arrested people?”

“Won’t journalists of the international media and the intellectuals of our country open their eyes to see this?” she asked.

“You can write articles immediately after the arrest of the instigators, but can’t you write against those who tried to create anarchy? Did you run out of ink and words? Why? Is it because you lost the opportunity to capitalise on disorder?”