Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yasmin on Monday said the videoconferencing event of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the club auditorium was unlawful as he was convicted in different cases.

In a statement, she said, “The views-exchange programme with Tarique Rahman, convicted by court verdicts, through a videoconference on October 10 at the club auditorium under the banner of another organisation was completely illegal.”

She strongly condemned and protested such an event at the JPC, and called upon all concerned to be careful so that such incidents do not recur in the future.

Jihad Smriti Parishad and Pro-BNP student leaders of All- Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s arranged a discussion programme at the auditorium of Jatiya Press Club on Sunday, commemorating the 31st anniversary of the martyrdom of Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman joined the programme virtually and spoke as the chief guest. 

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Besides, the JPC president said they saw media reports on press club leaders’ views-exchange meeting with Tarique Rahman.

“But the Jatiya Press Club leaders didn’t exchange any views with controversial political leader Tarique Rahman, who was convicted by the court. So, using the name of the Jatiya Press Club is completely immoral. This is part of a deep-rooted conspiracy. The Jatiya Press Club strongly condemns and protests such an ill-motivated plot.”

The JPC president called upon all to be cautious in using the name of the Jatiya Press Club in the future.

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Tarique had views exchange meetings with the leaders of different professional bodies on Friday and Saturday where pro-BNP journalists and ex-JPC leaders were present.