New Delhi:The Press Club of India (PCI) has expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of violence against journalists, attacks on media houses, and arrests of media professionals in Bangladesh, strongly condemning these acts.
In a statement, the Press Club of India described the violent attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of leading Bangladeshi newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star as deeply disturbing and unacceptable. The PCI also expressed serious concern over the harassment of senior journalist Nurul Kabir, President of the Editors’ Council and Editor of the daily New Age.
According to the PCI, since the interim government assumed power in Bangladesh, more than 100 journalists have been arrested on murder charges and have been detained for extended periods without due judicial process. The Press Club of India has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists.
The statement emphasized that a free, independent, and responsible press is the cornerstone of any democratic society, and any attempt to silence the media is unacceptable. Violence, intimidation, attacks, or harassment of journalists, the PCI said, constitute a grave violation of press freedom, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.
PCI President Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty and Secretary General Afzal Imam called for the immediate identification of those responsible and urged that a fair, impartial, and time-bound investigation be conducted to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Press Club of India also appealed to international journalistic organizations and human rights bodies to play an active role in ensuring the safety of journalists and protecting media freedom in Bangladesh.
