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BNP's Dark Day: Journalist Brutally Assaulted at Khaleda Zia's Dhaka Office

A shocking incident of journalist assault unfolded at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's Gulshan office in Dhaka. Jahidul Islam, a reporter for 'Daily Amar Desh', was brutally beaten by party workers while documenting a dispute among nomination seekers. The assault included breaking his phone and forcibly removing his press credentials. This event has sparked widespread condemnation from journalist organizations who view it as a severe violation of media rights.

Key Points: BNP Journalist Assault Dhaka Khaleda Zia Office Violence

  • BNP workers physically assaulted journalist Jahidul Islam inside party's Gulshan office
  • Reporter's phone broken and press ID card forcibly seized
  • Incident highlights escalating media harassment in Bangladesh
  • Journalists' organization condemns repeated attacks on press freedom
2 min read

Bangladesh: BNP workers assault journalist inside Khaleda Zia's office in Dhaka

Journalist Jahidul Islam brutally attacked by BNP workers while reporting at party's Gulshan office, phone destroyed and ID card seized

"Don't do it with journalists. I was hoping that BNP would immediately file a case against him and arrange for his arrest. - Borhan Uddin, Dhaka Mail Chief Reporter"

Dhaka, Oct 20

In yet another incident targeting journalists in Bangladesh, a local media reporter was physically assaulted by workers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at the party chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office in Dhaka, local media reported.

Jahidul Islam, a staff reporter with the daily newspaper 'Daily Amar Desh', came under attack on Sunday afternoon while filming inside the office, when a scuffle broke out among party aspirants from the Sylhet division.

"I had been at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office since the morning, gathering news, talking to nomination seekers. Around 4:30 p.m., nomination seekers began quarrelling and scuffling with each other," Bangladesh's leading newspaper The Daily Star quoted Jahidul as saying.

"When I tried to take footage of the incident with my phone, three to four people dragged me inside a room and beat me. They broke my phone. When I showed my press ID card, they seized it and threw me out," he added.

Jahidul alleged that one of the assailants was Mohammad Faisal, an office staff member, who, according to him, works as the cameraman for the BNP's social media page.

"Faisal broke my phone and hit me. Then others also beat me and pushed me out of the office onto the main road," he said.

Reports suggest that several other local journalists were also subjected to harassment during the incident.

The incident triggered outrage among journalists who condemned the violence, vandalism of a reporter's mobile phone, and confiscation of his ID card as completely unacceptable.

"The person who led the attack and insult on my brothers at the Gulshan office today, including fellow journalist Jahidul, is Faisal. I have not seen this man since August 5. You can see it even if you look. He is incredibly influential. You can influence the party. But don't do it with journalists. I was hoping that BNP would immediately file a case against him and arrange for his arrest," Bangladesh's Bengali daily 'Jugantor' quoted Dhaka Mail Chief Reporter Borhan Uddin.

Last week, Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) expressed concern over a series of recent attacks on journalists across the country, allegedly involving local goons, charity owners, and even members of law enforcement agencies of the country.

BJIM strongly condemned these incidents, describing them as a "grave violation of press freedom and an alarming regression for media rights in Bangladesh".

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As an Indian journalist myself, this hits close to home. We've seen similar incidents here too. Political parties across South Asia need to understand that attacking journalists only makes them look weak and authoritarian. Solidarity with Jahidul Islam! ✊
A
Aditya G
While I condemn the violence, I wonder if the journalist was following proper protocol? Sometimes journalists push boundaries during political events. Still, physical assault is never justified. Both sides need to maintain professionalism.
S
Sarah B
Breaking phones and seizing ID cards? This sounds like something from a dictatorship. Bangladesh has come so far economically, but incidents like this show there's still work to be done on democratic values. Hope the international community takes note.
K
Karthik V
This is why we need stronger press protection laws across South Asia. Journalists risk their lives every day to bring us the truth. BNP should immediately suspend Faisal and compensate the journalist for his broken phone and trauma.
M
Meera T
Very disturbing news. As neighbors, we in India should be concerned about press freedom in Bangladesh. A free press benefits everyone in the region. Hope justice is served quickly. 🙏

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