Six DU journalists harassed, threatened while covering JCD-Shibir tension
Six journalists were harassed and threatened while covering tension between Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Islami Chhatra Shibir over graffiti at Dhaka University (DU). The incidents took place separately at Bijoy Ekattor Hall and Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall.
Around 8:00 pm yesterday, three members of Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) -- Iftekhar Sohan Sifat, Asaduzzaman Khan and Harun Islam, DU correspondents of Prime Bangladesh, Manabzamin and Naya Diganta respectively -- were harassed at Bijoy Ekattor Hall while attempting to record a tense situation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Harun said, “Yesterday evening, during a programme of Chhatra Dal, one of my colleagues was taking video footage. At that time, a Chhatra Dal activist tried to stop him. When questioned, he said that being a journalist does not mean one can record videos. During the exchange, at one point he attempted to assault him.”
“We try to maintain the highest level of objectivity at Dhaka University. We believe this incident has seriously undermined the freedom of expression of the media,” he added.
In the other incident at Shahidullah Hall around 1:00 am, three journalists -- Manjur Hossain Mahi, Naimur Rahman Emon and Sajib Mia, DU correspondents of Kaler Kantho, Daily Observer and UNB respectively -- were harassed and threatened while gathering news on tension between JCD and Chhatra Shibir.
Manjur, also president of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association, said, “After learning about tension between Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir at Shahidullah Hall, three of us went there to collect information. In a room, representatives of the administration, Chhatra Dal, Shibir, and the hall union were present. As soon as we identified ourselves, some activists of Chhatra Dal from Shahidullah Hall advanced toward us to force us out of the room, created a commotion, and put pressure on the administration.”
Following the Bijoy Ekattor Hall incident, DU JCD leaders, including President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and Office Secretary Mallik Wasi Uddin Tamis, went to the journalists’ association to resolve the issue. They expressed regret to the journalists and assured that such incidents would not recur.
Regarding the Shahidullah Hall incident, Mallik said some JCD activists spoke harshly as they could not recognise the journalists, which led to an “unwanted situation.”
He added that he and other senior leaders later apologised personally.
Liton Islam, newly elected general secretary of Dhaka University Journalists’ Association, said journalists are not aligned with any group and carry out their responsibilities with neutrality and objectivity.
“Journalists were harassed while performing their professional duties last night, and mobs were formed twice. Those involved must face organisational and legal action,” he said.
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