Several political parties and social organisations in a rally and 64 eminent citizens in a press statement have condemned threats against Dhaka University law department professor Asif Nazrul and attempts to suppress his voice.
The professor reserves his right to free speech according to the constitution and laws of the country, they observed on Saturday and Friday while condemning threats of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Muktijudda Mancha against Asif Nazrul for posting a Facebook comment.
Chhatra League and Muktijudda Mancha leaders August 18 threatened Asif Nazrul with ‘mass beating’ after the professor in a Facebook post on August 17 said, ‘Bangladesh Airport may witness the same scenario of Kabul Airport, if a free and fair election will take place in the country.’
They also demanded dismissal of the professor from the university and padlocked his office room on the campus.
The university authorities, however, unlocked it following a request from the professor next day.
Sixty-four eminent citizens, including academics, doctors, development activists, rights activists, writers, professionals and lawyers, in a joint statement on Saturday defended the freedom of speech of Asif Nazrul.
They said that the activities and campaign against Asif Nazrul, filing complaints against him with police station and threatening him with physical torture are harassing and humiliating.
They also called on the government to ensure the freedom of speech of the people.
Signatories to the statement included Zafrullah Chowdhury, human rights activists Sultana Kamal, Hamida Hossain and Khushi Kabir, Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation’s Clinical Neurosciences Centre director Professor Naila Z Khan, photographer Shahidul Alam, writer Rahnuma Ahmed, Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Iftekharuzzaman, former Bangladesh Bank governor Salehuddin Ahmed and Supreme Court lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Politicians and citizens on Friday held a citizens rally at Shahbagh demanding release of 50 students who were arrested by the law enforcers before Dhaka visit of the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in March and condemning steps against Asif Nazrul.
Bhashani Onusari Parishad chairmen and Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, who presided over the rally, called on prime minister Sheikh Hasina to intervene and stops her student front’s steps against Asif Nazrul.
Nagarik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that Asif Nazrul did not mention name of anybody in his status.
Then why Chhatra League became furious and threatened Asif Nazrul, he said.
Gonosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki called on the Awami League government to step down and open up the way for a free and fair general election under a caretaker government.
Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad spokesperson and former DUCSU vice-president Nurul Haque Nur demanded unconditional release of the arrested students.
Dhaka University professor Nurul Amin Bepari, freedom fighters Nayeem Jahangir, Ishtiaque Aziz Ulfat, Rastrachinta central leader Hasnat Quaiyum and Bhashani Onusari Parisad central leader Jahangir Alam Mintu addressed the rally.
