Transitional government calls for national unity against 'anti-Bangladesh propaganda'

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The transitional government in Bangladesh has called for national unity to counter the anti-Bangladesh propaganda through news and social media networks.

"It is (rumors, propaganda) not limited to one country," said transitional government chief Muhammad Yunus, adding that some big countries are involved, referring to neighboring India.

The chief's remarks came while addressing political parties late Wednesday against the backdrop of the “hate campaign” allegedly by India.

“We all have to unite against it. This is not a matter of any particular political ideology but of our existence as a nation.

“We have repeatedly told those who are spreading misinformation, you come, see... but no, they are making up stories,” he stressed.

Asif Nazrul, law adviser to the government, briefed the media on Yunus' meeting with politicians, noting that the meeting "reached some consensus, including efforts to diminish the anti-Bangladesh propaganda and attempts to interfere in Bangladeshi internal affairs by India."

Nazrul said that political parties demanded reconsideration and cancelation of all the "anti-Bangladesh" treaties, including a pact with India over the Rampal Power Plant in Khulna, located close to the world's largest mangrove forest Sundarbans in the Bay of Bengal.

Meanwhile, a local court banned the broadcast of “hate speech” by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on social media.

Hasina fled India on Aug. 5 in the face of a student uprising.

About 1,500 people were killed and over 20,000 others injured in the uprising. Later, Yunus took office on Aug. 8 to lead the transitional government.