Chattogram protests over smear campaign against Ayan Sharma

The programme was held on Friday, August 21, in protest against the alleged campaign targeting Ayan Sharma

It was a scorching afternoon in the month of Bhadra. Before the Friday Jumu'ah prayers, the Cheragi Pahar intersection in Chattogram was relatively quiet. But the scene changed dramatically after the prayers, as people from different walks of life began gathering at the roundabout despite the intense heat.

At one point, journalists, lawyers, student leaders, workers, professionals and members of the general public joined a human chain and protest rally to voice their opposition to what they described as alleged propaganda, falsehoods, conspiracy and threats against Ayan Sharma, adviser editor and publisher of Chattogram Pratidin.

The programme was held on Friday, August 21, in protest against the alleged campaign targeting Sharma.

Organisers said the programme was not organised by any political party or specific organisation. Rather, they described it as a civic protest initiated by journalists, students, workers and ordinary citizens.

Participants raised various slogans, turning the Cheragi Pahar intersection into a vibrant protest venue. Among the slogans heard was: “Ayan Sharma has nothing to fear; we will not leave the streets.”

They also demanded that journalists be allowed to work freely and safely and that threats and harassment against media professionals be brought to an end.

Old Allegations, Renewed Controversy

Speakers at the rally alleged that during the previous government, Ayan Sharma came under the wrath of an industrial group after Chattogram Pratidin published reports on various alleged irregularities and discrepancies.

According to the speakers, attempts were allegedly made at the time to use government influence to halt publication of the newspaper and harass Sharma in various ways.

They further alleged that Sharma was threatened through intelligence agencies and that efforts were made to implicate him in several cases.

However, the comments of the individuals or organisations concerned were not immediately available regarding these allegations.

Speakers at the rally said the situation remained relatively calm for some time following the change of government, but a group had recently begun what they described as a fresh campaign of misinformation and propaganda against Ayan Sharma by allegedly using different individuals and groups.

They warned that any organised campaign aimed at undermining journalists' professional activities could have a negative impact on press freedom and the overall media environment.

‘Investigative Reports If Propaganda Continues’

Speakers said false information, threats or deliberate smear campaigns against journalists could not be accepted under any circumstances.

Journalist leaders also warned that if such activities continued, investigative reports would be published by various media outlets into the individuals and groups allegedly behind the campaign.

The protest programme was moderated by Julhaz Neel, senior reporter at Chattogram Pratidin.

Those who addressed the rally included Matiur Rahman, editor of The Finance Today and member-secretary of the Editors-Publishers Council; Khairul Alam Rafiq, editor of Dainik Pratidiner Kagoj and joint convener of the Editors-Publishers Council; M.A. Hashem Raju, president of the Bangladesh Chapter of the International Human Rights Commission; Faruk Iqbal, former general secretary of the Chattogram Press Club; Nazrul Islam, assistant general secretary of the Chattogram Bar Association; Anisur Rahman Sabbir, editor of Jatiya Banijya Jagat; senior journalists Sohag Arefin and Chhabbir Ahmed Osman; Mizan Ullah Samarkandi, chairman of the Journalists Development Council; Shafiqul Rahman, general secretary of the United Press Club; social worker Saidur Rahman Rimon; Ismat Marjida Ity, senior reporter at Chattogram Pratidin; Sanatani student leader Simanta Dutta Riju; and Imran Ahmed, staff reporter at Chattogram Pratidin.

Also present were senior journalist Kamruzzaman Rony, Sanatani organisation leader Ashok Chakraborty, Independent Bangla News chief editor Salauddin Mithu, Dipti Chowdhury Dipa, women's affairs secretary of the Janmashtami Celebration Council, Chattogram Metropolitan; journalists Sattar Sikdar, Kawsar Alam, Nurul Alam, Mohammad Yunus and Syed Nazrul Islam, along with journalists from various media outlets, lawyers, student leaders and people from different walks of life.

Protest Rally

Following the human chain and protest rally, participants brought out a procession from Cheragi Pahar intersection.

The procession moved through the J.M. Sen Hall area, passed by the Chattogram Press Club and ended in front of the Chattogram Pratidin office in Jamal Khan.

Participants chanted slogans including “Ayan Sharma has nothing to fear; we will not leave the streets,” “We will neither accept nor tolerate threats against journalists,” and “False propaganda and warrants must be withdrawn.”

The programme called for ensuring an independent and secure working environment for journalists, an end to alleged smear campaigns and threats, and impartial investigations into allegations of harassment against media professionals.

Speakers said allegations of threats, harassment or organised propaganda against journalists must be investigated independently, without political or institutional influence.

They also urged the authorities concerned to take effective measures to ensure that no journalist or media organisation faces retaliation or pressure for reporting the truth.

The speakers stressed that protecting journalists from intimidation and ensuring an environment where the media can operate independently are essential to safeguarding freedom of expression and the public's right to information.