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Published : 29 Aug 2025, 08:51 PM
The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) has protested the arrest of its leader Abdullahil Kayum and 15 others during a discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), after which they were sent to jail.
In a statement on Friday, the party alleged the detentions were based on “false charges” under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
It accused the authorities of undermining fundamental rights to free speech, liberty and assembly “through ‘mob terror’,” which has pushed the democratic process into a fragile state”.
“Voices in favour of democracy and the Liberation War are now facing repression, which is extremely worrying,” JaSaD said.
It accused the ruling party of branding dissenters in new ways.
“In the past, the Awami League branded dissenting views as allies of [BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami] to isolate the masses.”
“Today, anyone speaking for democracy and the spirit of the Liberation War is being branded as ‘Awami fascist’, in an attempt to confuse the nation and undermine the Liberation War.”
It said those who seek to take the state in that same direction are acting unjustly.
The party said many of those detained had no previous cases against them, and slapping anti-terror charges amounted to an official endorsement of injustice.
“At a time when national unity is vital, conspiracies such as pitting July 2024 against 1971 will only push the country into renewed conflict, which is deeply alarming,” the statement warned.
JaSaD demanded the case be withdrawn and the 16 detainees released unconditionally.
The case stems from clashes surrounding a roundtable organised by Mancha 71 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), focusing on the Liberation War and the Constitution.
The programme was coordinated by Gono Forum leader Prof Abdullah Al Mahmud (Bir Protik) and senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna.
Among those present was Abdul Latif Siddique, former minister and ex-Awami League presidium member, who had joined as a speaker.
Others included Dhaka University law professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon, former secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan, and journalist Manjurul Alam Panna -- all of whom were later arrested.
Former Gono Forum president Kamal Hossain had been invited as the chief guest.
But before his arrival, a group of men in their 20s and 30s, identifying themselves as “July Warriors”, stormed the hall while chanting slogans.
Videos circulated widely on social media show the men, reportedly linked to Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, locking the doors and tearing down banners for the event. They surrounded Latif and other elderly participants, harassing and assaulting them.
One chant captured on video declared, “Catch every [Awami] League man, drag them to jail.” Another widely shared video showed a freedom fighter being beaten, sparking outrage among netizens.
Several attendees were injured in the confrontation. Inside the venue, activist Keshab Ranjan Sarkar was struck and suffered a head injury.
Recounting the incident, freedom fighter Golam Mostafa said: “I came not on party lines, but because all freedom fighters had been invited. We started the programme. Latid Siddique had arrived, but Kamal Hossain had not. Then 20 to 25 young men stormed in, caused chaos, and surrounded us.”
