DHAKA, Aug 17, 2024 (BSS) - Leaders of journalist community and professionals in a rally today demanded cancellation of punishment and all cases against Dainik Amar Desh Editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman and his wife and removing all barriers to publish the daily.

They also demanded compensation for stopping the publication of the newspaper and keeping its journalists and employees unemployed for around an era and confiscating of the press, destroying and looting its machineries and equipment by the ousted fascist government.

BNP's National Standing Committee Member and Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad Convener Dr AZM Zahid Hossain addressed the rally as the chief guest in front of Jatiya Press Club, said a press release.

Amar Desh Executive Editor Syed Abdal Ahmed chaired the rally which was conducted by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) former President and Amar Desh City Editor M Abdullah.

BFUJ President Ruhul Amin Gazi, its Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, former Secretary General MA Aziz, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) former President Poet Abdul Hye Sikder, DUJ incumbent President Md Shahidul Islam, its General Secretary Khurshid Alam, Jatiya Press Club (JPC) President poet Hasan Hafiz, DUJ former General Secretaries Muhammad Baker Hossain and Jahangir Alam Pradhan, JPC former General Secretary Elias Khan, Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) former President Mursalin Nomani, Association of Engineers President Engineer Riazul Islam Rizu, teachers' leader and BNP Organizing Secretary Principal Selim Bhuiyan, Agriculturist Shamimur Rahman Shamim, Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Oikyajote General Secretary Rafiqul Islam, BFUJ Vice-President AKM Mohsin, Assistant Secretary General Basir Jamal, Publicity Secretary Shahjahan Saju, Mafaswal Sangbadik Foundation Chairman Sakhawat Ibne Moyeen Chowdhury, English Daily Economic Express Editor Amir Hossain Jony and noted publisher Muniruzzaman addressed the rally, among others. 

Dr Zahid Hossain said Dainik Amar Desh became a voice of the masses. When the newspaper was at the peak of popularity under the courageous leadership of Mahmudur Rahman, Awami fascist government shut it down.

Mahmudur Rahman was arrested and taken on remand repeatedly and his life was exposed to danger by carrying out attacks and lodging cases against him, he said.

Ruhul Amin Gazi said the offence Mahmudur Rahman and Amar Desh committed is that they practiced truthful journalism and published reports on corruption and looting of the Awami League government.

That is why Mahmudur and his newspaper were exposed to flame of wrath of the government, he said.

The journalist leader demanded cancelling the sentence of Mahmudur Rahman immediately and bringing scopes for his quick return to home.

Syed Abdal Ahmed said Amar Desh and Mahmudur Rahman were cruel victims of Sheikh Hasina's fascist rule as no other journalist had to face such repression. 

Repeated attacks were carried out to kill him, he said adding a total of 124 cases were filed against him for harassment and seven years jail term was given to him on fabricated charges. 

M Abdullah said after going to power, Sheikh Hasina's fascist government at first targeted Amar Desh for prolonging its staying in power as the newspaper published reports on corruption and looting defying all threats from the government.