A group named Inquilab Mancha has issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of all cases against journalist Mahmudur Rahman and his immediate, unconditional release.
Speakers made this demand at a human chain held in front of the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University on Tuesday afternoon.
Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for Inquilab Mancha, said, "While so-called journalists have fled the country, Mahmudur Rahman has returned with courage. He was the first person to call Sheikh Hasina a fascist in a column."
"Begum Khaleda Zia, an icon of the anti- fascist movement, is still revered by many Shahbaghis. After her, Mahmudur Rahman is the only individual who has waged an anti-fascist struggle. He was held in remand for 39 consecutive days at the age of 65 and has had hundreds of false cases filed against him," he added.
He further stated, "Many ask why Mahmudur Rahman did not seek bail from the court. In response, I would say that those who bring the law into political matters are the biggest fools. There is no law above the law-breaking of fascists. On what basis did the 2024 movement take place? We met with Mahmudur Rahman. He said that if he took any undue advantage, the fascist government would destroy his family and business, and he has also informed us that he will not take anything from this government of the student populace. The government can withdraw any case it files in a matter of minutes. Therefore, we demand that within the next 48 hours, the law advisor takes the initiative to dismiss all the cases filed against him and cancel all the judgments of Sheikh Hasina`s kangaroo court."
Hadi warned that they would announce a larger program in front of the law advisor`s office if this demand is not met.
Zayed Chowdhury, news editor of Amar Desh newspaper, said, "Mahmudur Rahman has always been a voluntary and law- abiding individual against authoritarianism. He returned to the country to publish Amar Desh newspaper. But due to Hasina`s false cases, he has been sent back to jail."
"He surrendered to the court in accordance with the law. But instead of releasing him, the court sent him to jail. This is not desirable in a fascist-free Bangladesh, where many ordinary people are being released unconditionally after the July uprising," he added.
On behalf of the journalist community, he has given the government 48 hours. If he is not released, he will be freed through a movement.
Other speakers at the human chain included Mujahid Islam, a member of the National Citizens` Committee, Md. Moniruzzaman, a Supreme Court lawyer, Fatima Tasnim Zhuma, a member of Inquilab Mancha and a DU student, and Syed Abdur Rahman, former general secretary of the Press Club.
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