Digital Security Act
Repeal Digital Security Act: BNP to govt
Accusing the government of harassing journalists and opposition leaders and activists by implicating them in “false” cases under the Digital Security Act (DSA), BNP on Friday demanded the cancellation of the law.
In a statement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that Khulna Press Club’s former vice president and NTV bureau chief Abu Tayeb Munsi has been arrested and sent to jail by implicating him in a false case under the DSA for publishing news on “corruption, immoral and illegal activities of Khulna mayor and his relatives”.
Besides, he said, “false” cases under the DSA were also filed against BNP leaders and activists in Feni and Laxmipur. “These heinous acts by the Awami government are just a small instance of the ongoing horrible misrule.”
Also read: Govt trying to prolong power using DSA: BNP
Fakhrul said writers, journalists, poets, cartoonists and human-rights activist are being repressed by arresting them in “false” cases under the Digital Security Act for writing on social media on the “failure, incompetence, repression, anti-democratic and anti-people activities, corruption, plundering, irregularities and reckless behaviour of the government, ministers and ruling party MPs and leaders”.
”After snatching democratic rights, black laws are now being used so that people can’t vent their grievances in digital platforms,” he alleged.
The BNP leader also said the journalists who are trying to work freely in the media and opposition leaders who are taking part in the anti-government movement are facing dire consequences with the DSA’s abuse. “Journalist Abu Tayeb was arrested under the DSA as part of the government’s move to gag the media.”
Also read: Kamal demands abolition of DSA
He said the government is using repressive black laws like the Digital Security Act to hang onto power by suppressing people. “The present government can’t tolerate even the slightest criticism since it’s not elected by people. People’s freedom of speech, freedom of expressing and free thinking has been snatched using the black laws only to protect them from public wraths.”
Even in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Fakhrul said the government has exposed its “fascist character by abusing the DSA”.
“The Digital Security Act is undoubtedly a repressive black law. Despite demands from journalists, intellectuals and civil society, and political and human rights organisations at home and abroad for repealing the black law, the government is abusing the law to perpetuate its authoritarian and fascist rule,” he observed.
Fakhrul demanded the immediate release of Journalist Abu Tayeb and BNP leaders and activists by withdrawing the cases filed against them under the DSA. “We strongly demand the government stop harassment of people and withdraw the repressive law, the Digital Security Act.”
DSA: Another case filed against Nur in Cumilla
Former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur was sued in another case filed under the Digital Security Act in Cumilla on Thursday for allegedly hurting religious sentiment.
Litan Sarkar, Awami Sechchasebak League leader of Cumilla North unit, filed the case with Debidar Police Station in the afternoon, police said.
Nur was accused of delivering provocative, fake and defamatory comments on social media and stoking religious hatred on April 15.
Also read: Ex-DUCSU VP Nur sued under Digital Security Act in Rajshahi
Earlier, several more cases were filed against the student leader on similar charges in Chattogram, Dhaka, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
The case statement said Nur has hurt religious sentiment of Awami League supporters with his comments during a programme on April 16 in Shahbagh.
Also read: ‘Hurting religious sentiment’: More cases filed against Nur
No Muslim can support Awami League, Nur said in his speech adding that only some extortionists, cheaters, drug traders, fortune seekers support AL, the statement added.
The ex-DUCSU VP also placed the badge of 'Fake Muslims' against supporters and leaders of Awami League, appearing on a Facebook live on April 15.
‘Shishu Bokta’ Rafiqul put on 7-day remand
A Dhaka court on Thursday placed Rafiqul Islam Madani, popularly known as Shishu Bokta, on a 7-day remand in a case filed under the Digital Security Act for delivering ‘anti-state and provocative’ speeches.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court Judge Abu Sufian Md Noman passed the order in a virtual hearing after the investigation officer of the case sought a 10-day remand to interrogate Shishu Bokata.
Also read:'Shishu Bokta' Rafiqul sued under DSA; lands in jail
Rafiqul Islam was placed on 4-day remand in another case filed with Matijheet Police Station earlier on April 21.
A Gazipur court sent him to jail on April 8 when he was produced before the court in the case.
Madadi was arrested on March 25 from Motijheel area during a demonstration protesting the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence and later he was freed.
Also read:'Shishu Bokta' Rafiqul held for 'provocative speech' in Netrakona
Rafiqul, also director of Saoatul Hera Madrasha at Paschim Bilashpur in Netrakona district, reportedly delivered ‘provocative’ speech in a Waj Mahfil at Gachha recently.
He is also assistant vice president of Jubo Jamiat, a wing of Jamiat-e-Ulama- Islam, of Netrakona.
Ex-DUCSU VP Nur sued under Digital Security Act in Rajshahi
Former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur was accused in another case under the Digital Security Act in Rajshahi on Wednesday for allegedly hurting religious sentiment.
Jubo League’s Rajshahi city unit Joint General Secretary Towrid Al Masud Rony filed the case at Boalia Police Station.
Nur was accused of delivering provocative, fake and defamatory comments on social media and stoking religious hatred on April 15, said Nibaran Chandra Barman, Officer-in-Charge of Boalia Police Station.
The case documents have been sent to the Cyber Crimes Tribunal and legal action will be taken against Nur, the OC said.
Also read: Another case filed against Nur for hurting religious sentiment
Earlier, several more cases were filed against the student leader on similar charges in Chattogram, Dhaka and Sylhet.
The case statement said Nur has hurt religious sentiment of Awami League supporters with his comments during a programme on April 16 in Shahbagh.
No Muslim can support Awami League, Nur said in his speech adding that only some extortionists, cheaters, drug traders, fortune seekers support AL, the statement added.
Also read: ‘Hurting religious sentiment’: More cases filed against Nur
The ex-DUCSU VP also placed the badge of 'Fake Muslims' against supporters and leaders of Awami League, appearing on a Facebook live on April 15.
Journo held under DSA in Khulna
Aby Taiyab, the Khulna Bureau Chief of NTV news, has been arrested in connection with a case filed under the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA).
Aby was picked up from his residence in Khulna's Nur Nagar area late on Tuesday night by a police team. "He was arrested around 10.30 pm," said Ahsraful Alam, officer-in-charge of Khulna Police Station.
Also Read: Keraniganj's Jugantor journo arrested in Digital Security Act
On Tuesday afternoon, Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukdar Abu Khalek, also the president of Awami League's Khulna city unit, filed a complaint against Abu for spreading propaganda against him on Facebook.
Subsequently, an FIR was lodged by the police on the basis of that complaint.
Also Read: DSA case against journalist Kajol shifted to Cyber Tribunal
Another case filed against Nur for hurting religious sentiment
One more case was filed against Nurul Haque Nur, former vice-president of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) for allegedly hurting religious sentiment in Chattogram.
Swechchhasebak League leader Aziz Misir filed a case against him in Katwali police station on Tuesday night.
Kotwali Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Mohammad Nezam Uddin confirmed this.
Also read: ‘Hurting religious sentiment’: More cases filed against Nur
OC Nezam said a case has been filed against Nur under the Digital Security Act.
The allegations are being investigated, he added.
Aziz Misir alleged that Nur had hurt religious values and sentiments of many religious leaders and activists in Bangladesh and tried to destroy communal harmony through offensive and false information, via Facebook live.
Also read: Nur sued over ‘hurting religious sentiment’
On April 14 afternoon, Nur said on Facebook live, “No Muslim can support Awami League. Those who support the Awami League are fake Muslims. They take bribes, engage in extortion, drug trafficking and tender business and claim themselves as Muslims,” added the student leader.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, Mahanagar Chhatra League leader Kishore Jahan Sourav filed a case under the Digital Security Act in Sylhet on the same charge.
There were two more cases filed against Nur in Dhaka on Sunday.
‘Hurting religious sentiment’: More cases filed against Nur
Two more cases were filed against Nurul Haque Nur, former vice-president of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) for allegedly hurting religious sentiment in Dhaka and Sylhet on Monday.
Ilias Hossain, a resident of City’s Shantinagar area, filed the case with Paltan Police Station under the Digital Security Act (DSA) on Monday.
Also read:Nur sued over 'hurting religious sentiment'
The student leader was accused for allegedly delivering provocative, fake and defamatory comments on social media and stoking religious hatred on April 15, said Abu Bakar Siddik, Officer-in-Charge of Paltan Police Station.
Besides, in Sylhet another case was filed with Kotwali Model Police Station.
Chhatra League leader of Sylhet city unit Kishore Jahan Sourav filed the case, said Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station SM Abu Farhad.
Earlier on Sunday, Ashraful Islam Shojib, member of Awami League central committee filed another case under the DSA slapping same charges against Nur.
The case statement said Nur has hurt the religious sentiment of Awami League supporters with his outrageous comments during a programme on April 16 in Shahbagh area.
Also read:How are diplomats, civil society members associating with Nur ...
No Muslims can support Awami League, Nur said in his speech adding that only some extortionists, cheaters, drug traders, fortune seekers support AL, the statement added.
The ex-DUCSU VP also placed the badge of 'Fake Muslims' against supporters and leaders of Awami League, appearing on a Facebook live recently.
“They (Awami League) are not Muslims — they don’t have any faith. Please inquire if any of them prays five times daily," Nur said.
“No Muslim can support Awami League. Those who support the Awami League are fake Muslims,” he added.
“They take bribes, engage in extortion, drug trafficking and tender business and claim themselves as Muslims,” the student leader said.
DSA case: Workers’ leader Ruhul Amin gets bail
A Khulna court on Sunday granted bail to Ruhul Amin, workers’ leader of the jute mills movement, in a case filed under the Digital Security Act.
Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Shahidul Islam passed the order.
The court earlier rejected Ruhul Amin, also coordinator of Sramik-Krishak, Chhatra-Janata Oikya Parishad in Khulna bail plea on March 1 and March 14.
The leftist leader was placed on a two-day remand on February 27.
Ruhul Amin, was picked up by law enforcers from Khalishpur in Khulna city on February 26 as he criticized the government on social media protesting the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in custody.
Ruhul was shown arrested under the Digital Security Act the next day.
Nur sued over ‘hurting religious sentiment’
A case has been filed against Nurul Haque Nur, former vice-president of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) for allegedly hurting religious sentiment with Shahbagh Police Station on Sunday.
Ashraful Islam Shojib, member of Awami League central committee filed the case on Sunday, Officer-in Charge of Shahbagh Police Station Md Mamunur Rashid told UNB.
The case was filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA), OC said.
Also read: Nur sued over ‘sedition, defamation’
The case statement said Nur has hurt the religious sentiment of Awami League supporters with his outrageous comments during a programme on April 16 in Shahbagh area.
No Muslims can support Awami League, Nur said in his speech adding that only some extortionists, cheaters, drug traders, fortune seekers support AL, the statement added.
Earlier the ex-DUCSU VP also placed the badge of 'Fake Muslims' against supporters and leaders of Awami League, appearing on a Facebook live recently.
Also read: Ducsu VP Nur sued for ‘defamation’
“They (Awami League) are not Muslims — they don’t have any faith. Please inquire if any of them prays five times daily," Nur said.
“No Muslim can support Awami League. Those who support the Awami League are fake Muslims,” he added.
“They take bribes, engage in extortion, drug trafficking and tender business and claim themselves as Muslims,” the student leader said.
DSA: Madrasa principal held for sharing 'distorted' photo of PMs
Police have arrested a madrasa teacher under the Digital Security Act (DSA) in Lalmonirhat for sharing a "distorted" photo of the prime ministers of Bangladesh and India on Facebook.
The 33-year-old, Zahidul Islam, was arrested from his house at Bhelabari union of Aditmari upazila of the district. He is the principal of Bhelabari Nurani Madrasa.
Also read: Ctg youth sued under DSA for uploading ‘distorted images’ of PM, Modi, Quader
Aditmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam said, "Zahidul was arrested on Wednesday night from the madrasa as he shared a distorted photo of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his Facebook account."
Also read: Madrasa teacher held for posting PM’s ‘distorted’ photo on Facebook
"A case has been filed against him under the DSA in this connection," he added.