Morshedul Haque, vice-president of the Ramu Government College unit of Chatra Dal, the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been expelled from the organization for life. The decision was taken after he issued threats on social media to burn down the office of Telegram News, an online news outlet published from Cox's Bazar, and called for physical harassment of journalists.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon, Haque wrote, "Where is the Telegram News office?... It must be set on fire.
Is Cox's Bazar Chatra Dal alive? If so, strong action must be taken against Telegram News.
They must be taught to write captions by slapping them repeatedly." The post contained explicit incitement to violence against journalists.
Editor's Response
Jasim Uddin, editor of Telegram News and Cox's Bazar correspondent for daily Jugantor, told Prothom Alo that on Tuesday, Md. Erfan, Cox's Bazar correspondent for daily Purbakon, was attacked and harassed while performing professional duties at the Cox's Bazar court premises. He noted that the threats and inciting comments against his outlet came in the aftermath of that incident.
Expulsion Decision
Following the threatening and inciting post by Haque, Bangladesh Chatra Dal authorities took swift disciplinary action. He has been expelled for life on charges of violating organizational discipline. As a result of this decision, he will no longer be permitted to participate in any activities of the organization.
The threats and calls for violence against media workers have sparked concern among the journalist community in Cox's Bazar. They have demanded ensuring the safety of journalists while performing their professional duties. The attack on journalist Erfan at the court premises has also come under renewed focus in this context.
