DUJ Human Chain at National Press Club Demanding Return of Office

At the premises of the National Press Club in the capital, a faction of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) formed a human chain demanding that their office be reopened. At the program held on Saturday (February 21) morning, the organization’s President Sajjadul Alam Khan Topu, General Secretary Akhtar Hossain, former President Abu Zafar Surya, and Amjad Hossain, among other leaders, spoke.

The speakers alleged that after the fall of the government on August 5, 2024, the DUJ office was vandalized and occupied through “mob terror.” They said that while differences of opinion are part of democracy, carrying out an organized attack and locking the office to halt the organization’s activities is in no way acceptable. They called for the immediate removal of the lock and the handover of the office. At the same time, they demanded the release of dissenting journalists detained in false cases and the withdrawal of murder cases filed against more than three hundred journalists.

After the human chain, they paid tribute to the language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar through a Prabhat Feri (mourning procession). Witnesses said that around 10:30 am, several journalists went to the Shaheed Minar, placed floral wreaths, and later returned to the Press Club where they chanted slogans for a short time. Photos and videos of the program spread on social media, drawing both support and criticism.

DUJ leaders said that during the tenure of the interim government, the organization’s office was kept locked and has remained closed for one and a half years. They alleged that journalists’ professional security and organizational rights have been undermined. According to them, those responsible for the attack and vandalism at the journalists’ union office have not been brought to justice.

It is noteworthy that on the evening of August 5, 2024, after Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister, the DUJ office at the Press Club was vandalized after being labeled as pro-Awami League. According to eyewitnesses, some journalists aligned with the BNP first broke the lock, after which outsiders entered, vandalized the office, and set fire to documents. At the same time, allegations were also raised that a mural of Bangabandhu was vandalized. Since then, the office has remained locked.

In response to the recent human chain, an organization called the July Revolutionary Journalists’ Alliance (JRJA) issued a statement criticizing the program. The organization’s General Secretary, Israfil Farazi, claimed that there was an attempt to seize control of the Press Club by chanting “Mujibist slogans.” They demanded organizational action and arrest of those involved.

However, DUJ leaders rejected these allegations, saying they carried out a peaceful program to realize their organizational rights. They claimed that a democratic journey has begun in the country through the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election; therefore, instead of shrinking democratic space, freedom of expression should be ensured.

Meanwhile, centering the February 21 human chain, five journalists have been declared banned from the Press Club premises by the management committee of the National Press Club. The decision was made at a meeting of the Press Club management committee on Tuesday, presided over by Club President Hasan Hafiz. Later, this information was announced in a press release signed by Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan.

The press release stated that for chanting slogans and creating disorder while standing in front of the union office door inside the National Press Club on February 21, the following five outsiders have been declared banned from the club premises: Golam Mujtaba Dhruva, Saif Ali, Soheli Chowdhury, Sajeda Haque, and Rahima Khanam.

It has been reported that the law and order situation around Saturday’s program in the Press Club area remained normal. DUJ leaders have said that if their demands are not met, they will announce further programs. According to them, they will continue their movement to protect journalists’ organizational rights and dignity.