Attacks on The Daily Star, Prothom Alo an assault on democracy: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today described the recent attacks on the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo as a direct assault on democracy.

Fakhrul said the attacks went beyond individual newspapers or isolated incidents. 

"This is not about The Daily Star or a single issue. Today, democracy itself has been attacked," he said while speaking at a joint protest meeting organised by the Editors' Council and the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) at a city hotel.

Expressing concern over what he described as a deteriorating democratic environment, the BNP leader said the situation did not reflect the ideals he had long struggled for.

"I am 78 years old. I have fought my entire life for an independent, sovereign and democratic Bangladesh. The Bangladesh I see today is not the Bangladesh I dreamed of," he said.

Fakhrul also raised concerns about freedom of expression, saying the right to think and speak freely was once again under threat.

Referring to past political movements, he said the July movement had aimed to establish people's rights, but those ideals were now facing renewed challenges.

Urging people to rise above political divisions, Fakhrul said the issue was not about any single party or organisation, but about safeguarding democratic values.

He called on democratic forces to act decisively, saying mere expressions of solidarity were insufficient.

"Those who want a truly democratic Bangladesh must unite with full strength to resist," he said, adding, "Now is the time to stand up."