Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today hoped that Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) would play a pivotal role to reach the country to its dream destination following the glorious path of the organization.

“Today (January 4) is the founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League. I had started my politics as an activist of the organization. I extend my congratulations and greetings to all present and past leaders and activists of Chhatra League,” he told reporters at his ministry at the Secretariat in the capital.

The minister said the history of Bangladesh and Chhatra League is linked and the organization had played a pivotal role in struggles and movements of the Bangalee nation, in independence movement and in building the country after the great Liberation War. “It is my expectation that the organization would play its role in reaching Bangladesh to its dream destination following its glorious paths,” said Hasan.

Replying to a query over BNP’s programmes, the minister said, “We will remain cautious to all programmes of BNP and, if needed, we will be on alert. We can’t allow anyone to create a situation like 2013, 2014 and 2015.”

Earlier, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma met with the Information and Broadcasting Minister at his office.

After the meeting, Hasan said discussions were held on different issues including film industry, television industry and connectivity.

He said the Bangladeshi TV channels could not air their programmes in West Bengal though there is no problem to broadcast the channels at Tripura, Delhi and other states. In fact, the cable operators are demanding crores of Taka in the beginning and every year, which is not possible for the Bangladeshi TV channels, he added.

“In this perspective, we have discussed whether anything can be done by the central government or not. Besides, discussions were held over Bangabandhu biopic, communication specially about the progress of train route in Agartala and Akhaura and Indian investment at our economic zones,” he said.

Hasan said the relations between the two countries are multidimensional and the relation is written with the letters of blood. The Indian soldiers and people had sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War of Bangladesh, he added.

He said many Bangladeshi people visit India for medical treatment. So, it was also discussed how to make easier the visa process and the high commissioner said that he will work on all these issues sincerely, said Hasan.

Verma, in his speech, said it was his first meeting with the information and broadcasting minister and the discussions were held very cordially. The relationship between the two countries has gone to a new height in the last decade under the dynamic leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Premier Narendra Modi, he added.