Cartoonists, writers, lawyers and civil society members have strongly condemned the case filed against satirical Facebook page Earki and several other meme and cartoon platforms, calling it a “direct attack on freedom of expression” and a dangerous precedent for Bangladesh’s civic space.
They made the remarks on Saturday at a discussion titled “Satire, Memes and Cartoons Free Expression or Defamation?” organized by Nagorik Coalition at the National Press Club.
Lawsuit against satire is unacceptable
Renowned cartoonist and Unmad magazine editor Ahsan Habib said satire had long been an integral part of Bangladesh’s cultural landscape.
“We live amid many problems, but even then we must laugh laughter is essential,” he said.
“I strongly protest the lawsuit against Earki. We want a healthy, tolerant society, not one where satire is criminalized.”
Habib said Unmad had faced numerous cases in the past despite publishing mostly feature cartoons rather than direct political satire. “We had to work very cautiously because cases came so frequently," he added.
Satire is not a crime stop weaponizing the law
Supreme Court lawyer Sara Hossain warned that the use of criminal law to target cartoonists and meme creators reflects a broader erosion of democratic space.
"Our concern today goes beyond a single lawsuit," she said.
She added: "Democracy is not achieved through elections alone it requires respect for diverse opinions.”
She noted that several Bangladeshi cartoonists have been forced into exile over the years.
“A person draws a cartoon or makes a meme, and we respond with criminal cases or jail. This practice must end.”
She urged citizens to treat dissenting satire as something to ignore not criminalize. “If you don’t like a satirical post, simply avoid it. Filing cases is not a solution. The real test of a democratic society is how much satire it can tolerate."
Cartoonist Mehedi Haque said tolerance was the highest form of intelligence and the true marker of a democratic society.
“How civilized or educated a person is can be understood by how well they can take satire,” he said.
He added that creators also have responsibilities, adding: “Satire must not cross into baseless slander or irresponsible lampooning.”
Writer and political analyst Hasibuddin Hossen warned that the lawsuit reflects deeper political shifts in Bangladesh.
“This is not a small or isolated matter but a sign of something much larger,” he said.
“Bangladesh’s politics is shifting sharply to the right. If the state enters the sphere of religious politics, mob rule will become law and the state may not stop it.”
He compared the current moment to the early years of Pakistan, when mobs attacked minorities believing the new state would protect them.
“If mob justice continues unchecked, Bangladesh will enter a far more dangerous phase than anything we saw under previous authoritarian governments,” he warned.
Hasibuddin urged journalists and civil society to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against attacks on free expression: “If we do not resist now legally, socially, collectively this country will change beyond recognition within five years.”
Silencing feedback destroys progress
Photographer and activist Shahidul Alam said that criticism and feedback were essential tools for social development.
“Every system evolves through feedback. When we silence criticism, we destroy the mechanism that helps society improve,” he said.
He added that powerful groups should welcome questions instead of suppressing them. “Selective censorship is a sign of insecurity, and insecurity is dangerous for any nation.”
Shahidul reminded that the political change of July 2024 was possible only because people had dared to question an oppressive state.
“Every major social shift came from individuals who asked hard questions,” he said.
On December 2, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) Vice-President and Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Abu Shadik Kayem filed a case with Shahbagh police station against several meme, satire and cartoon pages, accusing them of “defamation”.
Activists say the case marks the first major crackdown on satire since the July uprising that toppled the previous government.
Call to the state: Protect free expression
Speakers at the event called for the immediate withdrawal of the “harassment case” filed over a satirical post, stating that such actions create a chilling effect on free expression.
They also urged the government to ensure legal protection for student creators, cartoonists, meme artists and satirists, arguing that creative expression should not be criminalized.
Participants further emphasized the need for a national commitment to safeguard freedom of expression, noting that democratic progress depends on citizens’ ability to question power without fear.
They also stressed the importance of fostering a more tolerant civic culture, one that can accommodate criticism, humour and diverse viewpoints without resorting to intimidation or legal threats.
They emphasized that satire, memes and political cartoons are not crimes, but longstanding tools of expression in Bangladesh.
“We want a Bangladesh where no one not artists, not writers, not musicians, not cartoonists has to live in fear,” said satirist Simu Nasir. “The law must protect citizens. Are we not citizens too?”