A legal notice has been sent to Islamic preacher Mufti Dr Syed Muhammad Enayetullah Abbasi, demanding an unconditional apology within seven days for his derogatory remarks about journalists and alleged threats to beat them.
Supreme Court lawyer Khademul Islam issued the notice on Sunday on behalf of Azharul Islam Sujon, an executive committee member of the Court Reporters Unity, an organisation of journalists covering lower courts.
Advocate Khademul Islam confirmed the matter, saying legal action would be taken if Abbasi failed to withdraw his remarks and apologise within seven days of receiving the notice.
The notice said Abbasi made the remarks at an annual religious sermon and prayer gathering at Nishchintapur Hafizia Madrasa in Matlab upazila of Chandpur on October 19.
During the event, he reportedly described Bangladeshi journalists as the worst and said they should be “beaten like dogs”.
He also accused journalists of practising yellow journalism, failing to report positively on a state minister’s alleged efforts to dismantle a drug syndicate, and receiving funding from foreign intelligence agencies. He further alleged that they did not want Bangladesh to prosper.
According to the notice, the remarks amounted to defamatory statements, threats of assault and incitement, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for journalists.
The notice warned that legal action would be pursued under applicable laws if Abbasi failed to comply with the demand for an apology.