As many as 49 concerned citizens have demanded immediate release of Preetam Das, a leader of Rastra Sanskar Andolan, arrested under the Digital Security Act (DSA).
A total of 49 dignitaries, including Economist Anu Muhammad, Supreme Court Barister Sara Hossain, Prof Zobaida Nasreen of the Department of Anthropology at University of Dhaka, signed the statement issued on Saturday.
They noted that freedom of speech and expression must be ensured by immediately repealing "oppressive laws such as Digital Security Act".
“We note with concern that the state is using the Digital Security Act to suppress dissent, while, the powerfuls are playing a key role in creating a communal violence within the society ahead of Durga Puja,” reads the press release.
Such activities are creating instability in society, added the statement.
The distinguished personalities further said: "On August 27, a facion of the local Bangladesh Chhatra League attacked Rastra Sanskar Andolan’s movement in Sreemangal in solidarity with the tea workers' movement demanding wage hike,”
“Later on August 29 and 30, the organization held two press conferences and demanded justice. Pritam Das read out the written statements at that press conferences,” the statement reads.
"Immediately after the press conference, the local Bangladesh Chhatra League activists took a screenshot of Pritam Das' old Facebook status and accused him of insulting religion in a completely baseless manner,” it added.
The concerned citizens of the country have made two demands - immediate release of Preetam Das and immediate repeal of oppressive acts like the Digital Security Act to ensure freedom of expression.
As per their demand, Pritam Das cannot be subjected to harassment and torture through remand, and all the cases against him should be withdrawn.
On September 9, law enforcers arrested Preetam Das on charges of hurting religious sentiment in a case lodged under the Digital Security Act in Sreemangal of Moulvibazar.
Chhatra League leader Mahbubul Alam filed the case with Sreemangal police station on August 31.
