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Published : 22 Dec 2025, 10:47 PM
Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has claimed that “a section of the government” was involved in the attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.
Speaking at a meeting at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka on Monday, he said the attacks could not have taken place without political backing, social consent and institutional involvement coming together.
The former interim government advisor described the incidents as “entirely planned”.
"It wasn't as if a massive crowd -- several thousand people -- went there to do this,” he said. “Therefore, the entire episode was orchestrated. A plot was already in place about what would follow the incident involving Sharif Osman [bin] Hadi.”
The attacks, vandalism, looting and arson were carried out on Thursday night after news spread of the death of Inqilab Moncho leader, who was shot in the head during election canvassing in Bijoynagar on Dec 12.
In protest, the Newspapers Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) and the Editors’ Council held a meeting titled “Bangladesh under mob violence.”
Speaking there, Nahid, one of the frontline leaders of the July Uprising, said the situation the country had reached was “unfortunate”.
“It is unfortunate because the situation we are now in does not reflect the Uprising or the environment and Bangladesh we expected afterwards. We are not moving in that direction,” he added.
He said it was even more troubling that those behind the attacks on media houses and cultural institutions used the slogans of the Uprising and the death of Hadi to justify their actions.
“We believe all of us bear responsibility. Those of us who took part in the July Uprising bear greater responsibility.”
Touching upon the term “mob violence”, Nahid remarked that he previously resisted the word “mobocracy” when used by opponents to describe the Uprising.
He, however, said 18 months on, current events are no longer about public anger but are “pre-planned crimes” designed to steer the nation's political future.
Calling for investigation and prosecution, the NCP leader said it was clear who had created consent, who had gone there that night and who had written in support of the attacks.
“This is the government’s responsibility. Not only that, everyone must compel the government to ensure a proper investigation and justice,” he said.
He also said accountability was needed for the daylight shooting Hadi, also a face of the Uprising.
Nahid said the events of that night revealed a sense of helplessness.
“It felt even more unfortunate that there were not even 500 people in Dhaka who could stand in front of those two buildings and form a barricade. We felt helpless ourselves.”
He said citizens also bore responsibility when law enforcers failed to act.
“We call on everyone that nothing in the name of the July Uprising should justify attacks on media, vandalism, or violations of law. Anyone who consents to such acts must be held accountable.” he added.
