Leaders of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have been repeatedly issuing apologies following a series of incidents involving harassment and attacks on journalists, raising questions about the organisation’s ability to control its activists.
Multiple incidents over the past few days, including violent attacks at Shahbagh Police Station and on Dhaka University’s hall premises, have left several journalists injured and sparked concerns over internal discipline within the student body.
On Thursday, JCD activists reportedly created chaos at Shahbagh Police Station over a facebook post, where at least 12 journalists, including leaders of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA), were injured. Witnesses said senior DU JCD leaders, including Vice-President Anisur Rahman Khandoker Anik and Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, failed to bring the situation under control.
Following the incident, several unit-level leaders reportedly apologised to journalists both in person and over the phone, acknowledging responsibility for the attack.
JCD Central General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, in a facebook post on Friday, expressed regret over the incident. “An untoward incident occurred at Shahbagh Police Station centring on an offensive facebook post. During a tense situation between groups, several members of DUJA were injured while collecting news,” he wrote.
“I sincerely express regret on behalf of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The organisation believes in journalists’ safety and unrestricted media freedom. We hope such incidents will not recur,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday night, JCD activists allegedly attempted to form a mob targeting three journalists, including the DUJA president, at Shahidullah Hall. Following the incident, DU JCD Office Secretary Mallik Wasi Uddin Tami arranged for hall unit leaders Hadi-ul Islam and Junaed Abrar to apologise.
On Wednesday evening, another incident occurred in front of Bijoy Ekattor Hall, where JCD activist Navid Anjum Nibhan allegedly harassed three journalists. Later, DU JCD President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos visited DUJA office and apologised on behalf of the activist. However, he reportedly could not assure that such incidents would not happen again, stating that such situations might recur and be resolved afterward through discussion.
Despite repeated incidents, no formal organisational action has been announced against those accused of attacking journalists. JCD central President Rakibul Islam Rakib has also not publicly addressed the matter.
The series of events has raised concerns over whether the leadership is able, or willing, to enforce discipline within its ranks, as incidents of harassment and violence against journalists continue to surface.
NRE/AM
