Build public opinion against extremism

Speakers yesterday called for unity of progressive minds and formation of public opinion to resist extremist ideologies and activities, which triggered the killing of freethinkers in recent times.

Following the murder of Niladri Chattopadhyay Niloy on Friday, Imran H Sarker-led faction of Gonojagoron Mancha called a meeting of progressive organisations at the Teacher-Student Centre of Dhaka University (DU) yesterday afternoon.

Prof Mesbah Kamal of DU said the Mancha should lead the initiative to exchange opinions with all human rights, women, labour, cultural, social and civil rights organisations in deciding what steps could be taken to prevent further killings and the rise of extremism.

"We are not being able to reach people the way extremists are spreading hatred against bloggers and atheists through waz mahfils and khutbas after Friday prayers even in remote villages," said Hasan Tareq, president of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union.

Human rights activist Khushi Kabir questioned why the government did not give any statement about the killings. "Our constitution does not give anyone the right to kill someone for their belief or expressing their thoughts," she said.

Speakers said this message needed to be spread among the general people to form public opinion against the brutalities. 

After the meeting, the discussants paraded to the National Museum at Shahbagh, where Imran announced the next protest programmes.

"We are giving the government seven days to arrest the assailants of blogger and online activist Niladri Chattopadhyay Niloy," he said.

 "Next Friday, we would observe Mourning Day across the country and hold a commemorative rally at the Central Shaheed Minar at 3:00pm. There, we will announce tougher movement if the government's progress in arresting the killers is not satisfactory," Imran said.

Today, a portrait of Niloy will be put at Shahbagh, for people to pay their last tributes to him.

"I call upon everyone and the progressive organisations with their respective banners to come and pay their respects from 4:00pm," he said.

A mass procession will be brought out from Shahbagh at 4:00pm on Tuesday, demanding arrest and trial of the killers, Imran told reporters.

Representatives from cultural and student organisations Udichi, Khelaghar, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Bangladesh Jubo Union and Jubo Maitree also spoke.

Around 6:30pm, they brought out a torch procession from Shahbagh intersection towards TSC.