PM’s Political Aide Faces Backlash Over Tearing Up Newspaper ‘Amar Desh’

Mohammad Rashed Khan, the Prime Minister’s political assistant with the rank of a secretary, has levelled serious allegations against the daily Amar Desh, questioning its funding, editorial independence and the objectivity of its reporting.

In a Facebook post and video message published on his verified Facebook page, Rashed Khan claimed that a report linking him to Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was part of a “false narrative”. He said he tore up a copy of the newspaper to protest what he described as deliberate misinformation.

His action, however, drew criticism from leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), who objected to his manner of expressing dissent.

In his Facebook post, Rashed Khan alleged that during the tenure of the interim government, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman had imposed restrictions on publishing his statements.

He further claimed that his investigation had revealed that the newspaper was being run with financial backing from a company associated with “an Awami League office-bearer, a major businessman and a dummy MP”.

Rashed Khan said he initially sent photographs and supporting documents to Mahmudur Rahman through WhatsApp but received no meaningful response.

“I was initially surprised and sent photographs and evidence to Mahmudur Rahman on WhatsApp. He avoided the matter. I repeatedly sent him messages along with evidence, but he completely ignored the issue and eventually stopped answering my calls,” he wrote.

According to Rashed Khan, a senior official of the newspaper later told him that the matter was being overlooked in the interest of keeping the newspaper running.

Explaining why he tore up the newspaper, Rashed Khan said his protest was directed against what he considered a fabricated narrative.

“I tore up a false narrative. Amar Desh falsely claimed that I had joined hands with Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. I tore up that falsehood,” he said.

He also clarified that the incident did not take place during a live broadcast but was recorded as part of a formal video message to convey his protest.

Rashed Khan further alleged that the report linking him to Joy was deliberately circulated to divert public attention from allegations that Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mia Golam Porwar had held a meeting with an Indian intelligence official.

The incident has drawn criticism from political leaders and organisations, with senior figures from Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP expressing strong objections to the conduct of a government official in tearing up a newspaper in public.

Meanwhile, the authorities of Amar Desh and its editor Mahmudur Rahman had not issued any immediate comment or formal response to the allegations.

Against this backdrop, the Editors’ Council issued a statement on Sunday, signed by its president, Nurul Kabir, and general secretary, Dewan Hanif Mahmud.

The council said that differences of opinion should be expressed with responsibility and respect.

According to the statement, Rashed Khan was seen tearing up a copy of Amar Desh in a video posted on his Facebook page on Saturday.

The council acknowledged that disagreeing with news reports or editorial positions is a democratic right. However, it stressed that such disagreements should be expressed with responsibility, decency and mutual respect.

It also noted that, as the Prime Minister’s political assistant holding the rank of a secretary, Rashed Khan was expected to demonstrate restraint and responsibility in his statements and conduct.

At the same time, the council emphasised the importance of ensuring professional standards, objectivity, ethics and accountability in journalism.

The Editors’ Council urged all concerned to refrain from provocative statements, threats and harassment, while calling for the protection of media freedom and journalists’ safety.