Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Saturday said the recent attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star has brought international embarrassment to Bangladesh.
“Following the incident involving Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, I have had to answer questions within diplomatic circles both at home and abroad. Our heads have been bowed in shame. Today, we can make a pledge that such incidents will not occur in our country again. This is a commitment that the whole of society must make,” he said after visiting the burnt Prothom Alo building and an art exhibition organized at the site.
He added: “We have not witnessed such an attack on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star before. This was an assault on the free press. Intimidation, arson, destruction of property, and vandalism have no place in a civilized society. It would not be right for any government to evade responsibility for such an attack. This government will ensure a proper investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.”
Politicians, writers, journalists, artists, and civil society representatives visited the burnt Prothom Alo building on Saturday to attend the art exhibition titled Alo. Among those present were Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s advisers Zahed Ur Rahman and Mahdi Amin, and National Citizen Party leader Sarjis Alam. After visiting the Prothom Alo premises, the home minister also went to the Daily Star office.
The exhibition, created by artist Mahbubur Rahman, opened on February 18 at the burnt Karwan Bazar premises. It has been open daily to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Initially scheduled to conclude on February 28, the exhibition has been extended by two days and will now remain open until March 2.
