BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were a shame for the nation.
The BNP organised the event to mark the homecoming of its acting chairman Tarique Rahman after 18 years of enforced political exile.
Salahuddin said the interim government bore the highest responsibility for the attacks on media outlets, adding that BNP had learned intelligence agencies had prior information about the incidents. "Why were those reports ignored?" he questioned.
He also alleged that law-enforcement agencies responded one or two hours after being informed. "Why was there such a delay? In whose hands are we leaving the state system? The actions of those responsible for ensuring a neutral election are questionable."
The BNP leader said the media had been targeted in recent days and several places had come under mob attacks due to the government's weakness. "This must be stopped with a stronger hand."
He said people's expectations for democracy were very high. "Everyone in Bangladesh wants full democracy and strong democratic institutions. We must strengthen constitutional institutions so that they can act as shields of democracy.
"If the people give BNP the responsibility to run the country, we will cooperate fully. We want to forget the past, but we will remember what the fascist group has done," he added.
Referring to Tarique Rahman's return, Salahuddin said people hoped it would help strengthen the foundation of democracy in Bangladesh. "He [Tarique] was forced to live in exile for 18 years. We want to use his return to strengthen democracy -- that is our expectation," he said.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the country had passed through a very dark period under the fascist government, during which journalists and political activists were targeted in various ways.
"It is never acceptable to attack someone because of what they say or believe. Even after fascism has ended, such incidents remain deeply worrying," he said.
Rizvi cited the jailing and mistreatment of senior journalists such as Shafik Rehman as evidence of that dark period. "We were all victims in some way. What we are seeing now also worries us. We protest the death of a young leader. No one should die because of his words," he added.
Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury said instability affects everyone. "If the new media policy is properly implemented, the media will be able to grow."
He noted that Tarique Rahman was returning at a time when security was a major concern.
"Even our High Commissioner's residence in Delhi has been attacked," he said, adding that the attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star had heightened fears about future security.
"We all want safety and the freedom to write. To face the challenges ahead, we must remain united," he said.
Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman said media freedom was better during the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006.
"Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman listened to the media and sometimes acted on media reports. This never happened during the last 15 years of authoritarian rule," he said.
He added that if BNP formed the next government, the party should show greater patience than it did during 2001-06, noting that only democracy and elections could stop mob rule.
Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam said freedom of expression should be ensured if BNP came to power. "With Tarique Rahman's leadership, critical journalism should be encouraged," he said.
"The country has never seen such attacks on newspapers and media outlets as it is witnessing now," he added, noting that both politicians and journalists could make mistakes and should follow ethical standards.
BNP Media Cell Convener Maudud Ahmed Pavel moderated the meeting, which was attended by BNP Standing Committee Member Prof Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP Mass Education Secretary Prof Dr Morshed Hasan Khan, Jaijaidin Editor Shafik Rehman, The Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, Naya Diganta Editor Salahuddin Muhammad Babar, Jugantor Editor Abdul Hye Sikder, Amar Desh Executive Editor Syed Abdal Ahmed, Inqilab Editor AKM Bahauddin, Kaler Kantho Editor Hasan Hafiz, Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, banglanews24.com Editor Tawhidul Islam Mintu, BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Mahbub Morshed, BBC Bangla's Qadir Kallol, among others.
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