May 20, 2021
Brazen Violations, Bizarre Charges
It was quite a sight. Viewers of television channels and readers of the dailies that carried the images of incarcerated journalist Rozina Islam were baffled at the scale of security measures taken...
May 17, 2021
I cannot sing, how I can be free?
So far they pursued their vocations with enthusiasm and passion, and enjoyed doing so. Now forced by the circumstances most can no longer be engaged in their professional activities and have to...
May 3, 2021
World Press Freedom Day: Unattained aspiration
As a nation Bangladeshis commemorated the golden jubilee of their independence a little more than a month ago.
April 4, 2021
Freedom of Assembly
The streets and squares of different towns and cities including those of Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chattogram and Brahmanbaria have witnessed outbreak of wanton violence and mayhem over the last week or so.
March 7, 2021
The case for rescinding the Digital Security Act
They were both active, conscientious, thinking citizens. Both were passionate about social issues, and were gifted—one had a penchant for writing, the other for drawing cartoons.
March 3, 2021
Death in destination countries
A few days ago a news item carried by The Guardian, a UK daily, created a major stir in the national media of several Asian countries.
February 7, 2021
Masses, intellectuals and the Orwellian state
For ordinary Bangladeshis bereft of smart phones and computers, it was a baffling experience. Last week they were bombarded with the message that the Al Jazeera report titled All the Prime Minister...
December 22, 2020
Citizens’ petition on the Election Commission
This has happened for the first time in Bangladesh’s history. Last week, a group of conscientious citizens called on the President of the Republic to form the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to...
December 10, 2020
State, Intellectuals and Dwindling Civic Space
December is a month of celebration. Early in this month in 1971, the final assault on the barbarous Pakistani army was launched by the gallant freedom fighters.
December 7, 2020
Rohingya Refugees: Contentious case of relocation to Bhashan Char
After years of uncertainty the much contested relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhashan Char has become a reality. On December 3, 1,642 inmates of the existing camps were brought to the Char via...