DHAKA, Dec 20, 2021 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said it is not only deception to the people, it is also cheating with them (masses) when politicians or political parties denies the reality and the truth and which is clear in broad daylight.

     "BNP is doing these and they spread falsehood even in the Victory Day rally which was organised by the party (BNP)," he told the inaugural function of the exhibition of movies and a seminar marking the golden jubilee of Independence and Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMCO) in the city.

     NIMCO and Bangladesh Film and Television Institute (BFTI) organised the programme.

     Hasan said Bangladesh is progressing fast indomitably, but many people do not like it.

     For this, the minister said, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has told that the country didn't make progress during its 50 years of journey rather it went backward in many cases.

     "I would like to say that the per capita income was lower US$100 during the Liberation War. Even the per capita income was only US$600 in the beginning of 2009. But, now the income is now US$2,554 and the population below the poverty line has dropped from 41 to 20 percent. They (BNP) could not see the progress," he added.

     "BNP wants to lead the country, but the countrymen have witnessed that they (BNP) threw chairs in a rally at Sylhet. It is easy to guess what they will do if they can sit in the chair of the country, who throw chairs and fight in this way," said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

     The minister said there will be criticisms and competitions in the country's politics, but not revenge. Everyone should work together for the country, he added.

     Former principal information officer and Freedom Fighter AKM Shamim Chowdhury addressed the programme as special guest with NIMCO director general Shahin Islam in the chair.

     BFTI chief executive Md Abul Kalam Azad gave the welcome address.

     Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain will address the closing ceremony of the two-day long exhibition.