Hasina tells reporter not to be afraid of threats by Dr Kamal

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reassured the reporter, who was threatened by Dr kamal Hossain for asking him about the Jamaat-e-Islami, that he has nothing to fear.

Hasina spoke to Vaskar Bhadury, a senior reporter at Jamuna TV, at a programme in Dhaka on Monday.

The prime minister heard from him what happened on Dec 14, the Martyred Intellectuals Day, at a memorial in Mirpur, Vaskar told bdnews24.com.

After Jatiya Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal paid respect to the martyred intellectuals on that day, Vaskar and other reporters drew his attention to the Jamaat that is going to the election, thanks to the tickets offered by the Kamal-led alliance.

“Just keep your mouth shut, shut up!” Dr Kamal had retorted

As Vaskar asked again why the Jamaat that had lost its registration with the Election Commission was contesting in the election in collusion with the Oikya Front, a new opposition alliance he leads, Dr Kamal flew into rage and was shaking with anger. 

“The question doesn’t arise at all. You’re arguing with useless talk. How much have you been paid to ask such questions? Who paid you?” Dr Kamal charged him.

Following intense protests by journalists for his behaviour, he later apologised for losing his temper.

Hasina on Monday asked Vaskar to work without fear, saying that Dr Kamal losing his temper was nothing new, Vaskar told bdnews24.com. 

“The prime minister told me that such arrogance, offensive remarks are not new for Kamal Hossain and everyone became aware of that after what had happened to me,” he said.    

The prime minister’s reassurance would also encourage the other journalists to work fearlessly, he added.