Staff Correspondent

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that truth, thought and the political aspirations of the people can never be suppressed forever through force or legal restrictions.

"An authoritarian mindset may temporarily ban someone or mislead the people, but it is never possible to imprison the truth forever. The laws of nature and the Creator operate in their own course," he said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of journalist and writer Imrul Kayes's book 'Tarique Rahman: Nishiddho Shomoye Nishiddho Prochar' at the Jatiya Press Club on Monday. The publishing house Matribhasha Prokash organised the event.

The Information Minister said the book on Tarique Rahman is essentially a historical document against the authoritarian and fascist mindset.

He said the sacrifices made by Tarique Rahman and his family despite facing political persecution and stringent restrictions have further strengthened people's interest and aspirations for democracy.

Highlighting the consequences of dictators failing to learn from history, Swapon said, "From Hitler onwards, those who failed to learn from history met terrible consequences. Sheikh Hasina also failed to learn from history and that is why she had to flee the country after losing the people's mandate."

Pabna-5 constituency lawmaker Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and Pabna-2 constituency lawmaker Advocate AKM Selim Reza Habib spoke as special guests at the event.

Principal Information Officer of the Press Information Department Syed Abdal Ahmed, BNP Chairman's Adviser Advocate Nazmul Haque Nannu and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury spoke at the event.

Banglavision Chief Editor Dr. Abdul Hai Siddique presided over the programme. Matribhasha Prokash publisher Nesar Uddin Ayub delivered the welcome address, while the author of the book, Imrul Kayes, shared his thoughts.