KHULNA, Oct 12, 2024 (BSS) - Speakers at a programme here today recalled Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President Ruhul Amin Gazi's contribution to journalism, saying that he fought throughout his life for realizing the journalists' rights.
 
"Gazi was an uncompromising journalist leader. He fought throughout his life for realizing the rights of the country's journalists," BFUJ General Secretary Quader Gani Chowdhury said as the chief guest while addressing a civic memorial meeting commemorating Gazi at Khulna Press Club here.
 
Metropolitan Union of Journalists (MUJ) organized the meeting with its President Md Anisuzzaman in the chair while BFUJ Assistant Secretary General Ehteshamul Haque Shaon addressed it as the chief speaker. 
 
Noting that Gazi always led the bread and butter movement of journalists from the front, he said courageous leader like Ruhul Amin Gazi is rare in the arena of journalism. 
 
Whenever the country's democracy, independence and sovereignty faced challenges, he (Gazi) waged strong protest against those, said Gani.
 
The BFUJ general secretary said despite being sick during the recent anti-fascist movement, Gazi joined the protest on the streets and inspired other journalists to wage strong demonstrations. His death caused a void in the arena of journalism, Gani added.
 
He (Gazi) protested against all black laws affecting journalism and led different demonstrations including the anti-dictatorship movement, the BFUJ leader said, adding, "Therefore, he had to suffer torture in prison for 19 months and his family was subjected to mental torture".
 
About the interim government, Gani said the present government is running the state keeping the cohorts of the Awami fascist government beside them. They (interim government) should remember that they got the opportunity to run the state as a result of student-people movement, he said, adding, "If they make mistakes, they will have the same fate as Hasina".
 
Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Md Shahidul Islam, BNP City Unit President Advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona and Jamaat-e-Islami City Unit Ameer Professor Mahfuzur Rahman spoke as special guests. 
 
MUJ Acting Secretary Abul Hasan Himaloy and Treasurer Abdur Razzak Rana conducted it.
 
BNP City Unit General Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin, Jamaat-e-Islami City Unit Secretary Zahangir Hossain Helal, Khulna City Unit President of Doctors Association of Bangladesh(DAB) Dr Mostofa Kamal, Convener of Khulna Lawyers Association (BAR) Convening Committee Advocate Abdullah Hossain Bachu, member secretary of Khulna Press Club (KPC) convening Committee Rafiqul Islam Tutul, executive member Sheikh Didarul Alam, former Vice President of BFUJ Rashedul Islam, former General Secretary of MUJ HM Alauddin, Jashore Journalists' Union President Akramuzzaman, MUJ members Ziaus Sadat and Ershad Ali and Khulna Photo Journalists' Union President Zahidul Islam also spoke at the meeting, among others. 
 
Speaking at the meeting, BFUJ Assistant General Secretary Ehteshamul Haque Shaon said Gazi was a courageous leader and he showed his bravery even in adverse situations. 
 
DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam said there is no leader equivalent to Gazi for waging the movement for bread and butter of the journalists. He became a leader through his works, courage and dedication, he added.
 
Referring to the oppression of the fascist Awami League government on Gazi, Shahidul said when one of Gazi's kidneys needed to be amputated, fascist government sent him to jail instead of giving treatment.
 
"Actually he was pushed towards death. He is basically a martyr of the anti-dictatorship movement," the DUJ president added.
 
On behalf of Gazi's family, Shahidul called upon all to pray for eternal peace for the departed soul of Gazi, who breathed his last on September 24 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka.