Rozina Islam. Photo taken from Prothom Alo

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday urged journalists to be patient and play a "responsible role" in dealing with the issue of Rozina Islam.

Addressing a discussion organised by Awami League's Relief and Social Welfare Sub-Committee, he hoped that the journalist concerned will get justice since a case has been filed and the matter is under trial.

The AL general secretary, who joined the event virtually, said action would be taken as per the probe committee report if any evidence of wrongdoing against journalist Rozina is found.

Quader said such a misunderstanding would not have happened if someone from the health ministry briefed journalists on the day of the incident.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday demanded dismissal and arrest of the officials involved in the harassment of Rozina, a senior reporter of Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

He was talking to reporters before joining a views-exchange meeting with party leaders and activists at the Thakurgaon district BNP office.

Fakhrul said such incidents also happened in the past.

"The only reason for these incidents is that there is no democracy in the country. There is no accountability. We have seen in the video [footage] how a journalist was harassed by high-ranking officials of the secretariat. It's unbelievable. This is not acceptable at all."

The BNP leader said transferring officials involved in harassing Rozina was not a solution. "They should have been fired immediately. Not only that, they should have been taken to jail after filing cases against them. I think if we do that, the journalist will get some relief."

Claiming that free journalism is not possible in the current situation, Fakhrul said the incident involving Rozina has proved that there is no freedom of media at all.

He said Rozina was sent to jail after she had been subjected to physical and mental torture. The journalist has also been kept in jail with ordinary prisoners.

"This proves that the incumbent government is not a political government. This government is a fully a bureaucratic government. Now the bureaucrats decide the policy."

Speaking at another programme, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday said journalist Rozina would get justice in the court.

He said Bangladesh has moved far ahead of Pakistan and it even left India behind in many areas.

"Many cannot tolerate it and so there are conspiracy against the country. That's why attempts are made to create issues at different times."

"Hundreds of people are being killed in Palestine every day. Hundreds of children are being killed, but Amnesty International did not issue any statement," said the minister, adding that the rights watchdog issued a statement over why Rozina was confined to the health ministry for five hours.

The minister was addressing a cheque distribution programme, organised by Chattogram Union of Journalists, at Chattogram Press Club.

Hasan said there are other organisations who did not issue statements over the killings in Palestine, but did so over Rozina Islam issue.

"Even the United Nations took seven days to speak on the Palestine issue, but it spoke promptly about Rozina Islam issue," he added.

He said journalists should not take the issue of Rozina Islam emotionally.

"A committee has been formed to investigate the incident and if anyone from the health ministry is responsible, it would be revealed through the investigation," said Hasan.

"I have talked to the health and law ministers so that Rozina Islam gets justice, her dignity is kept intact in police custody and she gets all due facilities in jail."

The minister said if anyone wants to get any information, he has to apply to the  ministry concerned.

If anyone fails to get information, he has to apply to the commission concerned for information.

A total of 1,19,831 applications have been disposed of by the Information Commission till December last year, he said. If any official refuses to provide information, action is taken against the official concerned, he added.

"But non-disclosure information will not be provided," he said.

"As ministers, we take the oath to protect state secrecy."

'MINISTER'S STATEMENT UNACCEPTABLE'

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon has termed the health minister's statement on torture and filing of the case against Rozina unacceptable.

"In a way, the minister backed the unholy alliance of bureaucrats and businessmen. But people know to what extent corruption took place in the health ministry during the pandemic," he said in a press release issued yesterday.