'Unite against fundamentalism'

The meeting was organised by 'Writers-Teachers-Artists-Cultural Activists' at the TSC of Dhaka University (DU) marking the death of eminent writer Prof Humayun Azad.

The speakers said Prof Azad's death was a big protest against the fundamentalist forces.

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They said the government did not take any steps to arrest the culprits who attacked Humayun Azad last February and those who wanted to abduct his son on the campus recently.

The speakers said the fundamentalist forces are continuing their threats on writers, teachers, journalists, artists and cultural activists.

They criticised the government for not taking any action against them.

Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury said Prof Azad was forced to death after repeated mental and physical torture.

Dhaka University Teachers' Association General Secretary Prof Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman said the body of Prof Azad would come on Thursday's flight.

He said the Bangladesh Embassy in Germany has informed the university authorities that they have completed all formalities to send the body.

Prof Anu Muhammad, Dr Shahidul Islam of Rajshahi University, Swadhin Sen and Rehnuma Ahmed of Jahangirnagar University, Farook Wasif and Tahera Begum Jolly also spoke.

Biggan Chetona Parishad, Samagit Sangskritik Prangon, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, Suchana Oddhayan O Anushilon Kendra, and Gono Sangskritik Front expressed their solidarity with the meeting.