Protest against DSA: Govt violating people’s right to freedom of speech, activists say

With cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore and writer Mushtaq Ahmed still behind bars for over nine months, a group of citizens, including teachers and activists, today took to the street demanding that the government abolish the Digital Security Act (DSA).

The programme was held on the premises of the Shaheed Minar in Dhaka with over 250 people joining the protest rally.

At the venue, protesters installed a banner depicting hands tied with chain and handcuffs, while the song "Ora amar mukher bhasha kaira nite chaye" was playing in the background, in an expression to symbolise how freedom of speech is under threat in the country.

Terming the Digital Security Act as "draconian", they expressed concern that surveillance by the government all the time will leave the people in a state of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".

Cultural performances including songs of struggle and freedom, rap and baul songs, poetry recitals and street plays were held during the programme.

Photo: Rashed Shumon/ Star

Different rights watchdogs and organisations have been raising their deep concerns over the arbitrary detention and other forms of harassment of people including journalists, artists and activists who are facing increasing attacks on their right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

Talking at the programme, Professor Anu Muhammad said the ongoing fearful situation prevailing in Bangladesh is known to all.

"It's like the government, its ministers and their followers will do all sorts of unlawful activities and whenever someone will write against it or even draw cartoons against corruption, they will apprehend them by using this draconian law," he said.

"Not only DSA, the government is initiating different laws to shut the voices of the people -- so that people don't dare to speak, write, or listen," he said.

Prof Anu Muhammad said the Digital Security Act is a reflection of the government's fear.

"They did this so that none can write a sentence on Facebook, none can share a line from a poem or a drama. The government fears these. If the government is so powerful, why do they fear a Facebook post?  Why does a line of a poem or a drama shake the government so much?" he asked.

"Because they know people have rebellious minds. They want to protest," he added.

"Human beings are not robots. But the government wants us to be robots so that people only speak in their way. People will only praise their development, their democracy, without thinking beyond the government's words." 

"People in the government say law takes its own course. But it's not like that. It's driven by power. It is run according to how the government wants," Anu Muhammad said.

"Cartoonist, writer, poet and even teachers got arrested. Journalist Kajol was disappeared before his arrest. Picking up people, torturing them and shutting their mouth -- which laws allow such actions?" the professor said.

He said it is the constitutional right of people to protest, but the government is violating it too.

Photo: Rashed Shumon/ Star

"Why can't people draw cartoons or write poems against the VIPs and VVIPs? Why is there such a situation?" Anu Muhammad asked.

If the government seeks praise for good works, they should also accept the criticism for bad deeds, he added.

"In such a situation, a section of intellectuals is remaining silent. But young people are now raising their voices which brings some hope," he said.

At the programme, Rita Dewan, a folk singer, who was arrested under DSA for "hurting religious sentiments" and is now on bail, performed baul songs.

"If I live in an independent country, why can't I sing like a bird?" the singer asked.

In May last year, police arrested cartoonist Kishore and writer Mushtaq from their Dhaka residences under the Digital Security Act, accusing them of "spreading rumours and misinformation on Facebook about the coronavirus situation" and "undermining the image of the Father of the Nation, the national anthem or national flag".

Police recently pressed charges against photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol, cartoonist Kishore, writer Mushtaq and Rashtrochinta activist Didarul Islam Bhuiyan in different cases filed under DSA last year.

At the rally today, the protesters demanded immediate and unconditional release of Kishore and Mushtaq.