I will resign if there is guarantee of no accident
Says Shajahan Khan
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday threw out a challenge to his critics, saying that he would quit if it was guaranteed that no accident would happen after his resignation.
“I urge those who demand my resignation because of my speech for drivers, please give me the guarantee that no further accident will take place, and I will resign”, he said.
Speaking at a reception ceremony, the minister also requested the critics not to use the words "ghatak" or "khan sena", both used to refer to killers, for drivers involved in an accident. No driver deliberately makes any accident, he asserted.
Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation accorded the reception to the representatives of different local government bodies, who are also transport workers.
The programme was held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy in the capital.
Describing himself as a member of the transport workers' federation, Shajahan Khan said this was his real identity beyond his identity as a minister.
The shipping minister urged the transport owners not to appoint unskilled drivers or helpers without valid licence and urged drivers to be more careful while driving.
Talking about problems in the transport sector, Shajahan Khan said the labourers might have different political views, but they were all equal and they must be united for their own interests.
Mohammad Osman Ali, general secretary of the federation, slated the speech of lawmaker Tarana Halim in parliament for her demand of severe punishment to the drivers and the comment of historian Prof Muntasir Mamun describing them as "khan sena".
He also slammed the role of some journalists who had been termed yellow journalists for their criticism only against the drivers for occurrence of any accident.
He alleged that a section of journalists and intellectuals were hatching plot against the shipping minister, which in actuality was against the leaders and activists of the federation.
Wajeuddin Khan, president of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, chaired the programme, while many leaders and activists of the federation were present.
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