Staff Reporter:
Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) yesterday held a human chain protest demanding an environment for free journalism and protesting the attack on journalists by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) members inside Shahbagh Police Station while they were performing professional duties.
The protest took place on Saturday (April 25) at 11:30 AM at the foot of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture at Dhaka University.
The human chain saw participation from current DUJA members, as well as former presidents, general secretaries, and other veteran journalists.
Speakers demanded immediate identification and legal action against those involved, formal filing of cases and administrative action from the University, ensuring a safe environment for independent jour-nalism.
The figures expressing solidarity included Shahidul Islam, President of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Mohammad Abu Hanif, Executive Member of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Moudud Ahmmed Sujan, Journalist at Al Jazeera, Mahbub Rony, Editor of The Daily Campus and former DUJA President, Hossain Tareq, Journalist at CGTN, Masum Billah, Journalist at bdnews24 and former president of DUJA, Sirajul Islam Rubel, Journalist at The Daily Star and former DUJA General Secretary, and among others.
Earlier on Thursday at least 10 journalists from DUJA were allegedly beaten by Chhatra Dal leaders and activists inside the Shahbagh police station as they were performing their professional duties. Then, DU-JA demanded justice including the expulsion of the attackers who are the students of DU, expulsion from the Chhatra Dal, arrest of the attackers and ensuring freedom of press and protection over the country.
