Journalists working at Islamic University in Kushtia on Monday formed a human chain protesting the attack on Rajshahi University Journalists allegedly by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists, student wing of the ruling BNP, demanding a safe environment for independent journalism.
The demonstration was held at the university's main gate, where 3 journalists’ organizations of IU including Islamic University Journalists’ Association, Press Club and Reporters’ Unity attended.
Protesting journalists displayed placards with various written slogans including 'Attacks on journalists are attacks on democracy,' 'Journalists will speak out against injustice, pens will move even if blood flows,' and 'Journalists are assets, have you forgotten?'
Among others, IU Journalists' Association President Niamatullah Munim, General Secretary Juel Rana, Press Club President Abir Hossain, General Secretary Nazmul Hussain, Reporters' Unity President Saqib Aslam, and General Secretary Rabiul Alam participated in the program alongside other campus journalists.
Earlier, the journalists’ organizations issued statements strongly condemning the incident. There they said that physical attacks, threats, and intimidation on campus journalists are threats to press freedom and journalists' safety.
They also demanded an impartial investigation to identify those involved in the RU incident and bring them to justice.