Iftikharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIIB), has warned that a “mobocracy” appears to have taken root within the state apparatus. Speaking at a joint protest meeting organised by the Newspapers Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) and the Editors’ Council, he asserted that those entrusted with state responsibilities often regard the forces behind mob violence as a critical pillar of their power.
The protest was held in response to recent attacks on prominent newspapers Prothom Alo and Daily Star, which involved vandalism, looting, arson, and physical assaults, including the harassment of New Age editor Nurul Kabir. The event, titled “Bangladesh Under Attack by Mob Violence”, was chaired by Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor of Daily Bonik Barta and General Secretary of the Editors’ Council.
Iftikharuzzaman emphasised that while the public shares a collective responsibility to counter such violence, the primary duty rests squarely with the government. He questioned what measures the authorities are taking to ensure the safety and security of citizens and demanded accountability for government inaction.
The protest drew a diverse cross-section of participants, including leaders of political parties, professional and business associations, journalists’ organisations, and representatives of civil society. Speakers expressed profound concern and outrage over the attacks, stressing that these assaults target not just individual media outlets but democracy, freedom of expression, and citizens’ fundamental rights.
Participants highlighted that the attacks on the offices of leading newspapers represent a direct threat to press freedom, democratic institutions, education, and culture. Questions were raised as to why the government has not acted decisively to curb mob-driven lawlessness, with criticism describing the official response as “alarming” in its passivity. Journalists, politicians, writers, businesspeople, and civil society leaders called for unified resistance to protect independent media.
The meeting concluded with a human chain demonstration outside the hotel venue. Speakers stressed that safeguarding press freedom and fostering democracy now require a collective, sustained effort across all professional and civic sectors.
NOAB President and publisher A.K. Azad underlined the need for continued activism until justice is served for attacks on Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Chayanat, and Udayee, announcing a large-scale national conference scheduled for mid-next month.