A discussion at the New York Bangladesh Press Club on Wednesday descended into chaos over the filing of “murder cases” against journalists arrested in Bangladesh following the July mass uprising.
Expatriate journalist Sultana Rahman spoke against the cases, questioning, “Journalists are being arrested in Bangladesh through murder cases. Do journalists commit murder?” She added, “No, they never do. I strongly condemn this. We all should protest against it.”
Her remarks prompted a group of expatriate journalists to stand and protest loudly. One participant was heard saying, “Do not serve fascism. Do you know how many lives were lost in the July mass uprising?”
The situation calmed after a press club leader intervened, saying, “Sultana Apa is a senior member of our Press Club. She is entitled to her opinion.” He added, “But do we have no tolerance? Criticizing a differing opinion means insulting the profession.”
The journalist community became split amid ongoing actions against journalists in Bangladesh. Following the July mass uprising and fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, a group of student activists released a list of senior journalists branding them as “fascist Awami League’s allies. ”
Several journalists on the list, including Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, Farzana Rupa, and Shakil Ahmed, have been arrested and are reportedly being held under multiple murder cases linked to the July mass uprising.
Additionally, arrest warrants under the Digital Security Act have been issued against senior journalists Naim Nizam and Syed Borhan Kabir. Many other journalists have also been dismissed from their positions.
