An unpleasant situation arose at a roundtable discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Thursday (August 28), when a group of outsiders carried out an attack that disrupted the event. The incident has sparked widespread concern among journalists, academics, and civil society about the growing trend of intimidation against free expression in public forums.
According to witnesses, a group of individuals, identifying themselves as “July Warriors,” forcefully entered the DRU auditorium during the program and confined several distinguished guests, including former Member of Parliament Abdul Latif Siddique, Dhaka University Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman (Curzon), and former Secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan. As the situation escalated, DRU General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, former Organizing Secretary Mannan Maruf, and members Asif Shawkat Kallol and Syed Mahbub Morshed, among others, were physically harassed while trying to intervene and restore order.
In an official statement issued later that day, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, on behalf of the Executive Committee, strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep concern over the attempt to undermine the freedom of expression. The leaders reiterated that Dhaka Reporters Unity has always been a neutral and inclusive platform, open to all shades of opinion, regardless of political affiliation or ideology.
They further revealed that prior to the program, several threats were circulated on Facebook by individuals opposed to the event. In anticipation of possible unrest, Shahbagh Police Station had been informed, and police were deployed at the DRU premises from Thursday morning. Despite this, the attackers managed to infiltrate the program and attempted to incite chaos. Thanks to the intervention of DRU leaders and members, the situation was brought under control before escalating further. Later, the police escorted Abdul Latif Siddique and several others to safety to prevent any further untoward incident.
The DRU leadership described the attack as “highly disgraceful and condemnable,” calling on law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. They also stressed the importance of safeguarding journalists, intellectuals, and civil society members who continue to face increasing hostility for expressing independent views.
Journalism Under Pressure in Yunus Regime
The attack at DRU comes at a time when journalists in Bangladesh are facing heightened pressure under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. While the Yunus administration came to power promising democratic reforms and transparency after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, media professionals and rights groups report that press freedom remains under severe strain.
Several journalists critical of government policies or vocal about corruption allegations have faced intimidation, legal harassment, or physical threats. Reports indicate that surveillance on independent newsrooms has increased, and some editors have been summoned for questioning after publishing investigative pieces. Human rights organizations have also expressed concern that the Digital Security Act (DSA)—though promised to be reformed—continues to be used in practice against reporters and social media activists.
At least a dozen journalists have reportedly been attacked or arbitrarily detained in recent months while covering political demonstrations and labor protests. Many news outlets complain of informal censorship, with authorities exerting pressure to avoid “sensitive” topics such as human rights violations, security force operations, or dissent within the interim government.
The DRU leadership warned that unless the state takes firm action to guarantee press freedom, incidents like Thursday’s attack could embolden groups seeking to silence independent voices. They emphasized that the harassment of journalists not only violates democratic principles but also threatens the country’s ongoing political transition.
Historic Role of DRU
It is worth noting that during the historic July People’s Revolution, DRU played a crucial role in providing a free platform for all voices, even when the then-government imposed strict restrictions on dissent. Prominent movement leaders such as Nahid, Sarjis, and Hasnat delivered speeches at the DRU premises at the height of the mass uprising. Since its inception, DRU has been committed to maintaining its independence and neutrality, allowing representatives of diverse political views, social movements, and professional groups to be heard.
The Executive Committee made it clear that any future attempt to violate this long-standing tradition will be firmly resisted. “Dhaka Reporters Unity will not allow its democratic spirit to be undermined. We will resist any attempt to turn this open platform into a hostile space, and legal action will be pursued against those who try to create unrest,” the statement read.
Civil society organizations and journalist associations have expressed solidarity with DRU, emphasizing that freedom of expression and the safety of journalists must be protected at all costs. They urged the interim government to demonstrate genuine commitment to press freedom by ending harassment, ensuring accountability for attacks, and safeguarding independent journalism during this fragile political period.
