Photographers rally for release of Shahidul

Photographers rally for release of Shahidul

Dhaka, Oct 16 (Just News): A group of photographers demanded immediate release of internationally acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam, who was arrested in early August, holding up their cameras at a demonstration on Tuesday.

The photographers made the demand from a rally held at Raju memorial monument at Dhaka University.

Around fifty photographers including renowned portrait photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, freelance documentary photographer Yousuf Tushar, Taslima Akhter, Moinuddin Ahmed, Tanvir Murad Topu, Aminuzzaman, Sudipto Salam among others joined the protest.

Terming Shahidul Alam as the wizard of photography, Nasir Ali Mamun said Shahidul Alam had taken Bangladeshi photography in international stage and photography teaching institutes ‘Phatshala and Drik’ founding by him brought a revolution in photography industry of the country.

Demanding immediate release of the eminent photographer, Munira Morshed Munni said seventy day already elapsed and Shahidul Alam was in imprisoned still now for merely expressing his view.

She also said that most of the women photographer of the country stepped into the industry through his hand.

Tanjim Wahab said that Shahidul Alam taught how to contribute in changing the society through photography and he was the man who always voiced for the betterment of the photographer.

Tanvir Murad Topu said the space for citizen’s freedom of expression has been squeezed and Shahidul Alam always stands against injustice and protests should be continued for the sake of Justice.

Taslima Akhter said Shahidul spoke against anomalies and misrule of the government but his speech has been labelled as conspiracy and he was now imprisoned under Section 57 of the infamous Information and Communication Technology act which was used to suppress voice of the dissent.

Shahidul Alam, 63, was detained by plainclothes police from his home hours after giving an interview to Al Jazeera about student protests for road safety which he documented and discussed in Facebook Live on August 5.

He was accused of using electronic media to instigate disorder and spread fabricated information and rumours via social media.

School children took to the street for nine days since July 29 demanding road safety and justice for two fellow students who were killed by a speeding bus at Kurmitola in the capital earlier in the day.

Shahidul Alam and at least 37 others, mostly student protesters, were arrested and the police lodged at least 34 cases against them but no case was recorded against the helmet wearing attackers who swooped on students and journalists.

(Justnews/ys/2110hr)