Online Reporter/

Muhammad Rashid Khan, Joint Convener of People’s Rights Council, said that journalists and politicians are being silenced through the Digital Security Act. I want to say to journalist brothers, you should not be afraid. You fight in the pen, we fight in the streets. The nation must be protected from these fascists through a two-pronged fight.

He said this at a human chain organized by the People’s Rights Council in front of the National Press Club at 4 pm on Thursday, demanding the withdrawal of the case against Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman, the release of journalist Shamsuzzaman and the repeal of the Digital Security Act.

Muhammad Rashed Khan said, freedom means only a flag, a map and a territory? Journalists could write even during the Pakistan period, but they could not write during the Awami League period. What is the crime of journalist Shamsuzzaman that he has to be picked up from home in the early morning?

He also said, are we really independent? We have no freedom of speech, no freedom of writing, no freedom of assembly. Could it be an example of an independent state? Bangabandhu said, ‘If the people of my country do not get enough rice, this freedom will fail, if the mothers and sisters do not get clothes, the freedom will not be complete, if the youth do not get employment, the freedom will not be complete.’ So why can’t we say today, ‘What to do with this freedom? Running a family sweats. We want fish, meat and freedom of choice!’

Rashed Khan also said, we want immediate release of Shamsuzzaman and withdrawal of the case against Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman. Sagar-runi killing why the government does not? Why so many journalists are missing, have to go to jail, why is there a case? No one will have the freedom to live if a fascism government is in power. So hit the streets. This government should be removed through mass movement.

Joint convener of the People’s Rights Council Farooq Hasan said that if someone reveals the truth, a case under the Digital Security Act is given in his name. The report made by Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzaman Shams on March 26 is not false under any circumstances. The false case against Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury should be withdrawn. I want the release of journalist Shamsuzzaman. At the same time, the law called digital security should be repealed.

Public Rights Council Central Committee Joint Convenor Krishibid. Shahidul Islam Fahim moderated the human bond, Public Rights Council Joint Member Secretary Tariq Rahman, Joint Convener Biplab Kumar Poddar, Saddam Hossain, Shakil Uzzaman, Joint Member Secretary Ataullah, Abduz Jaher, Jilu Khan, Member Tofazzal Hossain, Dhaka Metropolitan South Member Secretary Ismail Hossain, Youth President of Odhikar Parishad Manjur Morshed, General Secretary Nadeem Hasan, General Secretary of Students Odhikar Parishad Ariful Islam Adeeb, General Secretary of Sramik Odhikar Parishad Suhel Rana Saadha etc.