Rajshahi:Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the recent 'armed attack and death threats' directed at media workers at Rajshahi University (RU), urging for justice regardless of the political identity or influence of those involved.
According to United News of Bangladesh, TIB has called on the leadership of both the ruling BNP and the opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to initiate comprehensive reforms and effective measures for self-correction within their parties and affiliated organizations. This appeal aims to end the violent struggle for authority.
The incident, reportedly involving leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, occurred on Sunday night at RU, resulting in injuries to at least 10 people, including four journalists. The RU proctor admitted to the administration's failure, and according to his account, the police also fled due to fear, TIB reported.
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman emphasized the necessity of ensuring justice for the attacked media workers and students. He insisted that perpetrators, along with their accomplices and supporters, must face prosecution through an unbiased investigation, irrespective of their political affiliations or power.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman also stressed the importance of providing appropriate medical treatment for the injured, ensuring security for media workers and students, and holding the police accountable through an investigation into their failure to discharge duties.
He highlighted that attacks on journalists hinder the public's right to information and the ability to hold authority figures accountable. The state must provide remedies for these issues, he added.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman noted that the university authorities' helplessness and the police's failure to act, including their reported retreat, indicate that resolving power-struggle-driven issues cannot rely solely on holding directly responsible individuals accountable.
Calling for specific action by political leaders, he questioned whether the ruling BNP and the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami can evade their primary responsibility to end violent power struggles and control their parties. Instead of merely forming investigation committees, they must stop providing patronage to violence and ensure accountability, he said.
He warned that without fundamental reforms within political parties, the aspirations of the July Uprising and fundamental rights, such as media freedom and equal rights, will face serious threats. Party leaders must realize their growing detachment from the public due to their members' behavior.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that the administration's failure to prevent the attack highlights a broader issue of eroded institutional authority at the university. Demands for the resignation of vice-chancellors and teachers, violence over campus influence, and displays of power have exposed this weakness.
He underscored the necessity of protecting students' rights to justice and peaceful demand-raising, ensuring impartial investigation and accountability for allegations against university figures. Political influence or forceful demands for resignations must not be accepted, he said.
TIB called for an investigation into the university authorities' and police's failures and for fixing responsibility. It emphasized that political identity should not shield anyone from accountability, and university administrations and law enforcement must operate independently of partisan influence.