BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said cases filed against The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam prove that country is facing a crisis of free-thinking.

"Reports in the media said that BNP is facing a crisis, but it is not BNP alone.  When 37 cases are filed against Mahfuz Anam [till Monday], it has been proved that this ongoing crisis is of free thinking, of speaking the truth, of speaking up without any fear," Fakhrul said.

He was speaking at a protest rally near Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Alleging that treason charges are brought against those who criticise the government, the BNP acting secretary general said similar charges were also brought against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia when she criticised the government.

Fakhrul was speaking at a rally organised by a body formed to demand the release of MA Mannan who was suspended from his post as Gazipur City Corporation Mayor over criminal charges.

Mannan, also an adviser of Khaleda, was arrested from his residence at Baridhara on February 11, 2015.