Protest against obstruction of National Mourning Day

Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor,Shottobani

London: A coalition of prominent cultural activists, journalists, human rights defenders and political figures has issued a strong protest statement condemning the obstruction of the National Mourning Day observance on 15 August, along with ongoing violations of democratic rights, human rights abuses and suppression of the media in Bangladesh. The signatories include Freedom Fighter Tajul Imam, an artist and painter, Freedom Fighter Aktar Zaman, a jury judge at the District Court in Uppsala, Sweden, Prof. Dr. A.K.M. Jamal Uddin from the Department of Sociology at the University of Dhaka, Dr. Shyamal Kumar Das, a professor of Homeland Security and Sociology at Elizabeth City University in the USA, Md. Sadique Hasan, an advisor at Haukeland University Hospital in Norway, Ishtiaq Jamil and Aminur Rahman, both professors in Norway, Saifullah Mahmud Dulal, a poet and novelist from Bangladesh, Pushpita Gupta, President of the Secular Bangladesh Movement in the UK and Shelina Afroze Zaman, a retired school teacher and member of the Uppsala City Council.

The statement commemorates the 1975 assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, emphasising the importance of observing the day with dignity. It condemns the illegal overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, which they say has led to the distortion of Liberation War history and suppression of cultural and democratic rights.

The coalition blames the illegitimate Yunus government for obstructing peaceful gatherings and cultural events, including the observance of the National Mourning Day. They accuse the regime of destroying the country’s security, democracy, and fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and cultural liberty. The signatories demand the release of political prisoners, an end to repression against journalists, and the protection of Bangladesh’s cultural and historical identity.

Among the signatories are Violet Halder, an editor and publisher from Somoyer Shobdo in the Netherlands, Murad Khan, managing director of Rapid Security Services LTD, Shyla Ahmed Lopa, a social worker and media activist, Ferdousi Hasan, a social worker, Deepanwita Roy Martin, a media presenter and personality, Tuhin Das, a poet from the USA, Saif Shams, an engineer in Norway, Mahbubul Haque, a media personality; Tomal Mahbub, an actor and director; Anirban Bhattacharjee, a theatre activist; Adiba Jahan, a social worker from Dhaka; Kutub Hilali, a poet and literary worker; Albert Khan, a filmmaker and online activist from India-Bangladesh, Priyanka Elffrost, a security engineer; Sadika Yasmin Rachana, a host and activist; Monica Rownock Bubly, a singer, Arjun Manna, an editor, Jasmin Chowdhury, a social justice campaigner and Rana Meher, a political analyst.

The protest statemen was issued by Rokeya Prachy, F M Shahin, Juton Chandra Das, a film director; Jamshad Shamim, an actor and Turjo Quazi, a freelance artist, under the banner of the Shammilito Shanskritik Porishod.

The statement condemns the ongoing distortion of Liberation War history, persecution of freedom fighters, vandalism of monuments, and violence against minorities, women, and children. It also criticizes the gross interference in the judiciary, extrajudicial killings and suppression of press freedom. The signatories call upon the international community and all patriotic citizens to unite in safeguarding Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democratic principles.

This collective voice underscores the urgent need to uphold the legacy of the Liberation War, restore democratic rights, and ensure justice and human rights for all citizens of Bangladesh.