Brahmanbaria-2 MP Barrister Rumeen Farhana has questioned the effectiveness of restrictions on broadcasting ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's speeches, saying such measures are futile in the digital age.

"Today, everyone has access to media through their own devices. Anyone who wants to listen to a speech can do so. In reality, it is not possible to stop people from accessing someone's remarks this way," she told journalists after attending a reception and discussion programme marking July Uprising Day in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria today.

Drawing a comparison with the previous Awami League government, the independent lawmaker added, "During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, Tarique Rahman's speeches were also barred from being broadcast. If that was not democracy, then how can this be called democracy?"

Asked whether Sheikh Hasina would return to Bangladesh, Rumeen said she believed the ousted prime minister would eventually do so.

"Sheikh Hasina is a citizen of Bangladesh. She has made a long political contribution to the country. Her family was assassinated. The Awami League was the only political party that took part in the Liberation War. She is also advanced in age. If she does not return to Bangladesh, what will become of her party, and what will happen to her long political legacy? Considering everything, my common sense tells me she will certainly return," she said.

Responding to a question about yesterday’s clashes between activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir, the former BNP leader said the incidents reflected the country's fragile law and order situation and suggested that political parties lacked effective control over their student wings.

The event was chaired by Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam and attended by government officials, families of those martyred or injured during the July Uprising.