The authorities of the National Press Club have banned five individuals from entering its premises over allegations of chanting slogans inside the club on February 21. The decision, announced through a notice issued on Tuesday (February 24, 2026), has triggered widespread criticism among journalists, rights activists, and members of civil society.
According to the notice signed by the club’s General Secretary, Ayub Bhuiyan, the five were declared “outsiders” and barred from entering the premises for allegedly chanting slogans in front of the union office and creating disorder within the club. The decision was reportedly taken at a management committee meeting presided over by the club’s President, Hasan Hafiz, and has taken immediate effect.
The individuals named in the notice are Golam Mujtaba Dhruv, Saif Ali, Soheli Chowdhury, Sajeda Haque, and Rahima Khanam.
However, critics have strongly condemned the move, describing it as “illegal,” “one-sided,” and a clear violation of due process. They argue that none of the accused were served with a show-cause notice, nor were they given an opportunity to defend themselves before the punitive action was enforced.
Opponents of the decision allege that the notice deliberately omitted details regarding the reasons behind the slogans or the demands raised by the individuals concerned. “Branding them as ‘outsiders’ without a transparent inquiry reflects institutional arbitrariness,” said several journalists who requested anonymity.
Many members of the journalist community and rights groups argue that the National Press Club, as a historic and democratic platform, has long served as an open space for diverse voices and peaceful expression. They contend that chanting slogans in support of demands or in protest falls within the bounds of democratic rights and should not be automatically labeled as “disorder.”
“This kind of action at a national institution like the Press Club undermines freedom of expression and fosters a culture of fear,” one senior journalist said, adding that such measures could set a troubling precedent for dissent within professional spaces.
Civil society representatives have called for the immediate withdrawal of what they describe as an “undemocratic and authoritarian” notice. They stressed that the Press Club should remain an inclusive and democratic space, rather than being treated as the exclusive domain of any particular group.
