Obstruction of FF’s burial extremely unfortunate: Zahed

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday described the obstruction of a freedom fighter’s burial as “extremely unfortunate”, saying such incidents were more concerning when people affiliated with political parties were involved.

“Such behaviour is extremely unfortunate. It becomes even more concerning, particularly when political party affiliations are involved,” he said while responding to journalists’ questions at a weekly briefing at the Secretariat.

The adviser said society had a responsibility to show basic respect to a person after death, regardless of their political differences, activities or ideology during their lifetime.

Referring to past incidents involving insults to dead bodies and graves, Zahed said such acts had never received public approval. Those who obstructed burials would ultimately face social condemnation, as no civilised society could support such behaviour, he added.

His remarks came amid questions about the activities of extremist groups, attacks on minorities and political violence since 5 August 2024.

Zahed said the government was taking the activities of far-right and extremist groups seriously and taking necessary measures to address them.

“There is a tendency among some far-right groups in Bangladesh to demonstrate their influence. Such tendencies were also visible during the interim government,” he said, adding that consistent government action could help reduce such activities.

Citing recent incidents, he said a person accused of sexually abusing a child in Tongi, Gazipur, had been arrested. Another person was arrested over alleged incitement linked to the beating to death of a man in Satkhira following allegations of religious insult.

Zahed said the government had not backed away from legal action despite pressure from different quarters. Ensuring that nobody escaped accountability for breaking the law was essential to curbing such crimes, he added.

On attacks on religious minorities and their homes, the adviser said Bangladesh belonged to people of all faiths and that ensuring the security of minority communities was the government's responsibility.

He said the government would remain sensitive, vigilant and firm in dealing with such incidents, stressing that anyone committing such crimes would face justice.

Responding to questions about political violence, including an alleged attack on the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) office in Dhaka, Zahed said law enforcement agencies and intelligence services were working to prevent crimes before they occurred. However, he acknowledged that not every incident could be prevented in advance.

He said the government's response after an incident was equally important and claimed that action was being taken over attacks on political offices and minority communities.

The adviser also urged journalists to make greater use of the Right to Information Act to obtain information from government offices. He said the Information Commission had been formed and encouraged journalists to approach it if public offices refused to provide information.

On media reform, he said the government would review the Media Reform Commission's recommendations rather than implement them wholesale, taking into account the ruling BNP's election manifesto and its own policy positions.

He added that areas of constitutional reform where the BNP had already committed to changes and had no dissenting position could be discussed in parliament, emphasising the importance of opposition participation in the process.