Prominent citizens have expressed strong condemnation over the attacks on the offices of the country’s leading newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.

They also called for the resignation of the adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The statements were made during a protest rally held on Friday in Karwan Bazar, following on-site visits to both buildings.

At the rally, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court and internationally renowned human rights activist Barrister Sara Hossain strongly criticized the role of the government, particularly regarding the responsibilities of the home affairs adviser.

She stated that the attacks on the newspapers were not merely assaults on buildings but represented an attempt to suppress independent journalism and stifle democratic voices in the country. She described the incident as an extreme manifestation of mob violence or taking the law into one’s own hands.

Barrister Sara further added that the repeated acts of violence against national newspaper offices are inexcusable, particularly in the context of the administration’s silence or inaction.

Questioning about the home affairs adviser, she said: “The primary responsibility of the state’s home affairs adviser is to ensure the safety of citizens and the protection of institutions. However, the visible absence of law enforcement at the scene cannot be overlooked or evaded.”

She also remarked that the prevailing culture of resorting to violence in place of legal procedures has taken root in the country, yet the current administration has failed to take decisive action to curb it.

Calling for a thorough investigation into the death of Sharif Osman Hadi and for the prosecution of the perpetrators, the human rights advocate emphasized that no attack on newspapers can be justified under the pretext of seeking justice for a murder. She added: “The essence of the 2024 mass uprising was to uphold freedom of expression. If the government fails to immediately identify and bring the attackers to justice while ensuring the security of newspapers, the moral legitimacy of its governance will be called into question.”

Dhaka University Professor Samina Lutfah also condemned the attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, stating that the assaults were premeditated and intended to destabilize the country. She warned that various manipulations are taking place ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections and urged that no one take the law into their own hands.

She further noted that Osman Hadi had been shot on December 12 on Box Culvert Road in Bijoynagar by two individuals while riding a motorcycle.

He was initially admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, underwent an operation, and was subsequently transferred to Evercare Hospital.

Later, for advanced treatment, he was sent to Singapore, where he passed away on the night of 18 December at Singapore General Hospital.

Following his death, a group of protesters attacked and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star on the night of December 18.

Representatives from various human rights organizations and members of civil society were present at the protest rally.