On 31 August 2025 , twenty-seventh eminent citizens from home and abroad have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the recent harassment of veteran freedom fighters, the postponement of a planned roundtable discussion, and the subsequent arrests of several distinguished participants. The statement, circulated to the press by Violet Halder, editor and rights activist, calls for an immediate end to such intimidation and urges respect for democratic freedoms and the sacrifices of those who fought for the nation’s independence.
On 28 August, a newly formed organization, Mancha 71 (Platform 71), organized a roundtable discussion titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh.” The event brought together eminent citizens of the country, including freedom fighters, lawyers, university teachers, journalists, and trade union leaders.
Shockingly, during this peaceful program, a violent mob stormed the venue, physically assaulted the participants, and shouted provocative slogans. The attackers identified themselves as “July Joddha” (Warriors of July) and are known to be linked with Islamist political groups and militant elements.
Instead of protecting the victims and holding the attackers accountable, the police detained 16 respected citizens and took them to the Detective Branch office. A case was later filed against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act, while no legal action was taken against the actual perpetrators of the mob attack.
This is a grave injustice. Mob violence is a crime under the laws of Bangladesh. Organizing a peaceful roundtable discussion in a public institution is not. Criminalizing such lawful gatherings undermines democracy, freedom of expression, and the values of our Liberation War.
As concerned citizens, we demand:
1. Immediate release of the detained citizens.
2. Withdrawal of the false and baseless case filed against them.
3. Appropriate legal action against those who instigated and carried out the mob attack.
We strongly urge the authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure that freedom fighters, intellectuals, and citizens are not humiliated or silenced by unlawful violence.
Signatories:
1. Tajul Imam, Freedom Fighter, Artist & Painter, USA
2. Yousuf Chowdhury, Freedom Fighter, Engineer, Boston, USA
3. Aktar Zaman, Freedom Fighter, Jury Judge, District Court, Uppsala, Sweden
4. Mohammed Shamim Mridha, Freedom Fighter, President, Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Florida, USA
5. Quazi I. Iqbal, Freedom Fighter, FCA. Director Operation. California, USA
6. Parvez Hashem, Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Florida, USA
7. Charlotte Jacquemart, Senior Journalist, Swiss Public Radio, Switzerland
8. Md. Sadique Hasan, Advisor, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
9. Ishtiaq Jamil, Professor, Bergen University, Norway
10. Aminur Rahman, Researcher, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
11. Shelina Afroze Zaman, Retired School Teacher, Uppsala City Council, Sweden
12. Tonoy Emroz Alam, Social Woker, Germany
13. Saifur Rahman Mishu, Member of Global Justice Network Foundation, Sweden
14. Minhaz Ahmed, Author, Journalist, USA
15. Rezaul Kabir Badal, Scientists, Ontario, Canada
16. Toufiq Maruf, Senior Journalist & Analyst
17. Al Amin Babu, Organizer & Singer, USA
18. FM Shaheen, organizer, filmmaker, media worker, Bangladesh
19. Nahida Naser, Social Worker, USA
20. Nahar Mamtaz, Social Worker, Sweden
21. Shohela Purvin shova, sculptor, France
22. Tuhin Das, Poet, USA
23. Murad Khan, Managing Director, Rapid Security Services LTD., Netherlands
24. Biddut Kal, Ex General Secretary- Bangladesh Association, Norway
25. Adiba Jahan, Social Worker, Bangladesh
26. Liaquat Hossain Limon, Blogger, Activist, Human Rights Worker
27. Violet Halder
Editor & Right Activist
