BNP will scrap Digital Security Act within a week if the party is voted to power, its Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed said today.

The law, dubbed draconian by democratic forces of the country, is contrary to Bangladesh’s constitution, said Moudud, who is a former law minister.

Speaking at BNP’s public meeting at Suhrawardy Udyan, he blasted the government for enacting the law; saying it is “a severe blow to press freedom”.

“The power given to police through this law – arresting without warrant – it is unprecedented,” he said. “The law has been enacted to cover up the misdeeds of the ruling party.”

“The media must arise and pressurise the government to scrap the law,” he said.