New Delhi, 8 August 2024: The Indo Bangla Journalists Forum, which is headed by IJU President Geetartha Pathak, expresses serious concern at the fake and exaggerated news in a section of media particularly on social media and other digital platforms of India and also Bangladesh relating to attacks on minorities following resignation of Sheikh Hasina and consequent fall of Awami League government.
A section of media circulating morphed photographs and fake news of violent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh particularly the Hindus, which consists of around 8% of the total population there that created communal tension in many parts of India. It is true that some radical anti-social elements in Bangladesh try to exploit the transitional period after the ousted Prime Minister fled the country by attacking minorities and their places of worship. All these stray incidences were firmly resisted by the student leaders who spearheaded the agitation against Hasina government and the conscientious people of Bangladesh.
IBJF President and IJU President Geetartha Pathak and General Secretary Khairujjaman Kamal in a statement said that all forms of media should restrain from circulating unverified news which may escalate social tension and divide the society on religious line. “Change of guard in governance may happen anytime but that should not affect social harmony, national integrity and diverse fabric of the society.” In a press release, the IBJF said “The problems, be it job quota, rise in unemployment, price rise, corruption in governance and economic mismanagement, of the country affects all irrespective of their religious, casteist, cultural and economic identity. If people of Bangladesh want to resolve these problems through mass mobilisation and through change of guard, they have right to do so in a democratic way avoiding violence.”
The IBJF asked the new government, which is under formation, to ensure safety and security of life and properties of minorities of the country. IBJF also urged the new government to ensure safety of journalists and asked for fare compensations for the journalists killed during the student’s movement against job quota.
