State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed on Wednesday called on the citizens to remain united against the spread of obscene language on social media and to practise constructive criticism of the government and its policies.
“You can criticise the government, it is every Bangladeshi citizen’s right to criticise the government. But the use of obscene language is spreading across social media; all responsible citizens must unite to say ‘no’ to this,” she said.
The State Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion arranged by Zia Smriti Pathagar as part of the 9-day Zia Smriti Book Fair 2026 held at the Bangla Academy premises.
“After all the sacrifices and bloodshed our youth suffered during the July mass uprising 2024, we certainly do not support the way obscene language is being spread across social media and mass media today,” she said.
Claiming that the media is now freer than ever, she said, “BNP is a party that believes in freedom of speech. However, in the name of exercising this freedom, we cannot resort to obscenity.”
The State Minister said, “The way obscenity is being spread in society is pushing the current and future generations toward danger.”
She urged sincere citizens to remain wary of this in order to build a better society for all.
Claiming that the previous ousted regime led by Sheikh Hasina destroyed the country’s education, health, and economic sectors, she said the Prime Minister has undertaken the difficult task of rebuilding them from scratch.
The State Minister attributed the ongoing Middle East conflict, the corruption and flawed policies taken by the previously ousted regime as the reasons behind the current energy crisis.
Praising the PM for publicly apologizing for the public’s suffering caused by the energy shortage, she said, “The Prime Minister knows very well that this crisis is a legacy of the previous government, yet he apologized because the people are suffering.”
“The current government is not like the previous regime, which would blame the BNP for everything even after being in power for 16 years,” she added.
The event was chaired by Zia Smriti Pathagar Vice President Fatema Salam. LGRD Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP lawmaker Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, among others, spoke at the event.