Jatiya Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday 'sincerely regretted' his sharp reaction to a reporter following his question over the Front's position on Jamaat-e-Islami. A general dairy (GD) has already been lodged with Islamic University Police Station in Kushtia against Dr Kamal for 'threatening' journalists.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) yesterday said Dr Kamal should seek apology publicly before the nation within 24 hours for his indecent and objectionable remarks on media workers.

In a joint statement, BFUJ President Mollah Jalal and its Secretary General Shaban Mahmud and DUJ President Abu Jafar Surjo and its General Secretary Sohel Haidar Chowdhury said Dr Kamal threatened reporters when he was asked about his to clarify his position on the Jamaat-e-Islami. Giving an explanation over the reason behind stopping the journalist from asking such a question at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial, he said, “I’m sorry sincerely, if my remarks hurt or embarrassed anyone in any way.”

Narrating the incident, Dr Kamal said,

“After paying tributes to the martyrs of the December 14.

Standing on the altar of Memorial, I said we got the independence losing so many meritorious sons (of the soil). Suddenly, I was asked to say about Jamaat’s position in the Jatiya Oikyafront. Then, I humbly replied I don’t want to make any comment on the issue since the day is a matter of deep feeling of us.”

Dr Kamal said he expressed the same views when he was asked the question for the second time. But when I heard the ‘Jamaat’, ‘Jamaat’ words for the third time from the crowds then I felt very bad, and I tried to stop the questioner.”

He also reminded that he was also involved throughout his life in the struggle for ensuring press freedom and establishing the rights of journalists.

On Friday morning, Dr Kamal along with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president ASM Abdur Rob, Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, BNP chairperson’s adviser Abdus Salam, Gano Forum leaders Jaglul Haider Afrik and Reza Kibria paid homage to the martyred intellectuals at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Memorial.

Later, talking to reporters, he said they are working for establishing a good society which will be free from exploitation making the independence meaningful.

Dr Kamal, however, lost his temper at one point when a journalist asked him about their position about Jamaat, and said, “How much money have you got for asking such questions?

Kamal also told the reporter to ‘shut up’ as he repeated the question.

In Kushtia, Acting Editor of Bangla daily Bangladesh Shomoy Mostafizur Rahman, and also a professor of Folklore Studies Department of Islamic University, filed a complaint against Dr Kamal on Friday, said Raton Sheikh, officer-in-charge of the police station.

“Since the incident didn’t happen in Kushtia, we cannot take up the case. The complaint has been accepted as a general dairy,” said the officer-in-charge of the police station.

In his GD, Mostafizur Rahman alleged that Dr Kamal Hossain, after paying tributes at Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the city’s Mirpur area, threatened journalists when they asked him whether there was any connection of Jatiya Oikyafront with the war criminals of Jamaat-e-Islami.

In the complaint, he also said Dr Kamal not only threatened the journalists but also criticized them during a live broadcast saying, “How much money have you received? Why are you asking these unnecessary questions? What’s your name? I’ll see you... which media do you work for... will remember you.”

Mostafizur Rahman also mentioned that it was completely a threat to media as well as disrespect to the glorious image of society as thousands of people were watching it on television channels. “This incident has scared the media workers as well,” he said in his complaint.

Such threats and fearsome comments by Dr Kamal Hossain are contrary to constitutional rights of independent journalism as well as a threat to freedom of expression, he mentioned adding that this act is a criminal offence as per the Digital Security Act 2018 and Bangladesh Penal Code.

Confirming the filing of the GD, SM Tanvir Arafat, Superintendent of Kushtia Police, said the GD was forwarded to Darus Salam Police Station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

IK