DHAKA, June 11, 2022 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the then caretaker government was forced to release Bangabandhu's daughter and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina due to strong mass movement across the country and international pressure as she was arrested unjustly on July 16, 2007.

"The daughter of democracy and incumbent Prime Minister was released from prison like a hero on June 11, 2008 and the democracy was unchained. For this, the day is not only Sheikh Hasina's release day, in fact it is the release day of democracy," he said.

The minister stated these while virtually addressing a discussion from his official residence in the city organized by Awami League Ranguniya upazila unit marking Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Release Day.

Hasan said Begum Khaleda Zia was arrested about one and a half months after the arrested of incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But BNP-Jamaat was in power just before this and they made the country champions for five consecutive times in corruption, he added.

But, he said, the then caretaker government arrested the daughter of democracy Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina. Many leaders of the party (AL) were hesitant, many were silent and many talked to different tones, said Hasan, also AL joint general secretary.

But, the minister said, the all leaders and activists of AL were in together across the country and they were carried out strong mass movement for releasing AL President Sheikh Hasina. And the followers of Bangabandhu and her daughter were also carried out movement and presented the scenario of Bangladesh before the world community, he added.

For the united movement to release Sheikh Hasina, he said, Begum Khaleda was also released as BNP didn't carry out any movement to release her (Begum Zia).

Replying to a query over the illness of Begum Zia, Hasan hoped that the BNP leaders would pay attention for the recovery of her and she was recovered earlier also. The doctors of the country are meritorious and the treatment system is also developed in the last thirteen and a half years, he added.

AL Rangunia upazila unit general secretary Engineer Shamsul Alam Talukder, publicity secretary Emrul Karim Rashed and leaders of its associate bodies addressed the discussion with upazila unit vice president Freedom Fighter Chowdhury Kutub Uddin Haruni in the chair.