Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said that the statements of BNP and like-minded parties about the launch accident were a manifestation of their political bankruptcy.
The minister was responding to a question from reporters on Thursday evening before speaking as the chief guest at the 56th anniversary program of Bangladesh Television at BTV Bhaban in Dhaka's Rampura.
Describing the accident as "extremely tragic" and wishing peace of mind to the victims and speedy recovery of the injured, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said that the matter was being investigated and whether it was an accident or sabotage it would be investigated and action would be taken against those found guilty. The Ministry of Shipping and the district administration have already provided first aid to the families of the victims and ensured proper treatment of the injured. The Prime Minister is monitoring the matter.
"But the statements of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul and other leaders are being made from their political bankruptcy," Hassan Mahmud said. He then asked what they would say about the accidents that have taken place in different countries of the world including the developed countries and in this country before, he said, it has nothing to do with politics.
Dr Hasan Mahmud also said, 'It is absurd to bring politics with everything.
Information and Broadcasting Minister on the occasion of BTV's 58th year said that Bangladesh Television started its journey in 1974. It is the first Bengali language TV channel in the subcontinent and in the whole world. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has now given licenses to 45 TV channels in the country, 31 TV channels are broadcasting, the rest are awaiting for broadcast.
Minister said that many of the people who are running the private televisions in Bangladesh and the reputed TV journalists were connected with Bangladesh Television. That is why BTV is the home of television channels. Now BTV has four channels and government is going to launch 6 more channels before the next parliamentary elections. BTV, BTV Chittagong and Sangsad BTV are all three terrestrial channels except cable network and cable network can be seen all over the country. At the same time, it can be seen all over the world through mobile apps.
At present, various programs are being aired on Bangladesh Television for building the country and nurturing the culture of abhorrent Bengal and today there are various plans to take BTV further with the inauguration of HD broadcasting, said the Information Minister.
Later, Minister Hasan Mahmud inaugurated Bangabandhu Corner at BTV Bhaban, Bangabandhu Painting and HD Broadcasting at Rangtuli on the occasion of Bangladesh Television's 56th year.
Director General of Bangladesh Television Sohrab Hossain presided over the function while Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md. Maqbool Hossain delivered the special guest speech. Heads of departments concerned with the ministry, the former director general of BTV. Hamid, directors of private televisions, Deshbarenya artists took part in the program.