The Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday demanded trial of The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam and its Publisher Latifur Rahman for publishing misleading and fabricated news against Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and inviting an unconstitutional government during the 1/11 political changeover in the country.Taking part in an unscheduled discussion on a point-of-order, the lawmakers also demanded that the newspaper should be banned as Mahfuz Anam has conspired for bringing undemocratic forces to power.
Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was detained due to it's misleading and fabricated news.
"Recently, Mafuz Anam admitted in a Television Talkshow aired through the ATN news that the Daily Star published some fabricated and untrue news during the 1/11 political turmoil . . . It's definitely the violation of Constitution and a sedition case can be lodged in this connection," treasury bench member Barrister Fazlee Noor Tapos told the House on his point of order.
He said journalism is a noble profession but such people like Mahfuz Anam should quit the profession as he has tarnished the image of journalists and extended his sincere cooperation to the anti-democratic elements.
Referring to the controversial role of Latifur Rahman, the owner of Transom Limited and publisher of The Daily Star, Tapos said he was involved in corruption and pasted a stigma on Sheikh Hasina as well as some other political leaders, who had to go prison cell.
"Latifur had link with the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)," the treasury bench member added.
Treasury bench members Waresat Hossain Belal, Abu Syed Al-Mahmud Swapon, Shamsul Haque Tuku and Noor Jahan Begum, Mainuddin Khan Badal of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), and independent lawamker Hazi Mohammad Salim also took part in the discussion.
They said Mahfuz Anam has no right to remain in this noble profession as he was involved himself in a conspiracy in implementing a blueprint during the 1/11 changeover. They also demanded disclosing the misdeeds of Mahfuz Anam to the people.
BSS/RI