Journalists and rights activists have demanded that Barrister Mainul Hosein publicly apologise for hurling abuses at journalist Masuda Bhatti and terming her “characterless” at a television talk show on Tuesday night.

They also warned of taking legal actions against Mainul Hosein, former adviser to a caretaker government and printer and publisher of English daily The New Nation.

“Barrister Mainul has personally sought apology from her. However, it's not enough as we think he has not only attacked journalist Masuda, but also women and journalist community,” said Nasimun Ara Hoq, president of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra.

She was speaking at a protest programme at Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

Writer Anwara Syed Huq, women's rights activist Rokeya Kabir, Barrister Tania Amir, journalists Munni Saha, Syed Ishtiaque Reza and others also spoke at the meeting.

This correspondent spoke to Mainul Hosein yesterday evening. He said Masuda Bhatti must apologise to him publicly unless she can prove that he is a Jamaat agent.

“I made the remarks [about Masuda Bhatti] because I got very angry. I also called her on Wednesday and sought apology,” he said. Mainul Hosein said it was audacious on her part to pose such a question.

 “How can she do that? It was not journalistic, but a political question,” he said and added that he always worked for upholding independence, peace and democracy.

However, at yesterday's meeting, Nasimun Ara said if Mainul Hosein does not seek an unconditional apology for his comments, they will be forced to take legal action and call upon the media not to give him any scope of participating in any talk show.

She also called upon the newly formed Jatiya Oikya Front, an alliance led by Dr Kamal Hossain ahead of the national polls, not to give him a leadership position as the alliance then risks becoming controversial.

Masuda Bhatti, acting editor of Dainik Amader Notun Somoy, read out a written statement at the programme. She said she and Sakhawat Hossain Shayanta were present at the talk show -- Ekattor Journal -- hosted by Mithila Farzana on Tuesday.

Barrister Mainul was connected via video-conference.

During the discussion, Masuda referred to a video [which went viral on social media] that showed Mainul Hosein had addressed a programme of Islami Chhatra Shibir, expressing solidarity with the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.

She posed a question during the show: “As a result, many are commenting that you are in the alliance [Jatiya Oikya Front] as a representative of Jamaat-e-Islami… is it true?”

“Giving no response, he made a verbal attack and tried to tarnish my image and dignity. He instructed me to pose questions like that of an 'educated and gentle woman',” she said.

She said Mainul Hosein also shouted and raised his fingers in efforts to stop her.

Mithila Farzana warned him that he should not hurl such verbal abuses at a guest during the show.

“Though I was upset, because of my long career as a journalist I kept calm and refrained from counterattacking you [Mainul Hosein],” Masuda said in her statement.

She said he called her on Wednesday evening and sought apology. “Even if I forgive you, it does not justify the grudges of numerous women… the issue is no longer a personal one, but rather an attack on journalists, women professionals and conscious citizens.”

“When the attacker is a veteran lawyer, the attack is very exploitative, as well as a violation of law,” she said.

Rokeya Kabir, executive director of Bangladesh Nari Progoti Sangha, said hurling abuses at women, questioning their character, looking down on them have become a norm -- a practice that must be stopped.

In a separate statement, Kazi Reazul Hoque, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, termed Mainul's remarks unexpected, and demanded that he apologise.

Ain O Salish Kendra said his remarks are contemptuous and unaccepted. Mainul had demonstrated his narrow-minded attitude towards women.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad termed the remarks indecent and ill-mannered, and said such a comment is an extreme manifestation of existing patriarchal attitude, which is a violation of human rights.