Staff at two leading Bangladeshi newspapers, the Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were left ‘gasping for air’ after protesters set their offices alight on Thursday night, in what has been described as one of the darkest days for independent journalism in Bangladesh. The violence erupted following the death of prominent activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to injuries from a shooting earlier in the week.
Hundreds of demonstrators stormed the newspaper buildings in Dhaka, trapping 28 colleagues on the rooftop for hours before additional military reinforcements arrived to rescue them. No serious injuries were reported, but large parts of the structures were charred, and smoke continued to billow from Prothom Alo’s building the next day. The newspapers have long been regarded as secular and progressive, often facing criticism during the administration of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was a senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha and played a key role in the youth movement that ousted Hasina last year. He was a vocal critic of neighbouring India, where Hasina now resides in self-imposed exile. Hadi had planned to contest the upcoming February election as an independent candidate but was shot by masked attackers on December 12, dying in a Singapore hospital.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, condemned the attacks, vowing to deliver ‘full justice’ to the perpetrators. In a statement, the government said, ‘Attacks on journalists are attacks on truth itself,’ and emphasized that the country’s ‘historic democratic transition’ must not be derailed by chaos. Yunus also labeled Hadi’s death an ‘irreparable loss’ and a premeditated attempt to disrupt the election.
As a result of the arson, the Daily Star could not publish its print edition on Friday for the first time in 35 years and is expected to be inoperable for some time. Consulting editor Kamal Ahmed expressed the dire situation, noting the trapped staff’s struggle for fresh air. This incident highlights the ongoing threats to press freedom in Bangladesh, especially amid political turmoil.
The protests were not limited to the newspapers; other prominent buildings, including the home of the country’s first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were also vandalized and set on fire. Bangladesh is navigating a fragile period as it prepares for elections next February, the first since Hasina’s removal, which adds to the tensions.
Investigations into Hadi’s shooting are ongoing, with several detentions made, and the government has declared a day of national mourning. The violence underscores the deep divisions within Bangladeshi society and the challenges of maintaining stability during a critical democratic transition.
In closing, the targeting of independent media outlets signals a worrying trend for freedom of expression in Bangladesh, with implications for the upcoming elections and the nation’s path towards democracy. The international community will be watching closely as authorities seek to uphold justice and prevent further escalation.
