A case filed under the anti-terrorism law against 12 children for making a video with the immortal Liberation War slogan ‘Joy Bangla’

Chattogram, July 26, 2025

Police have filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 12 children in Karnaphuli Upazila of Chattogram for making a video using the immortal Liberation War slogan “Joy Bangla.”

The case was filed late at night on Friday, July 25, at Karnaphuli Police Station.

Among the arrested children are Md. Zahed, Saiful, Bijoy, Akash, Arfat, Minhaj, Forkan, Iqbal, Akib, Ador, and two others whose names are yet to be known. All of them are residents of Charpatharghata and Charlakshya unions.

Of the detainees, only Zahed is 18 years old, while the others are between 12 and 15 years old.

Responsible officials of the Karnaphuli Police Station stated that on Friday afternoon, they made a video chanting “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.” Upon receiving the news, a raid was conducted, and they were arrested.

The police proudly stated that although the video was made, these “notorious” children were not able to upload it to Facebook. The police managed to seize their devices beforehand.

In this regard, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Karnaphuli Police Station, Muhammad Sharif, said in the morning that a case has been filed against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act. They will be sent to judicial proceedings through the court on Saturday.

Md. Jahangir Alam, the father of arrested Zahed, said, “The boys were making a TikTok video together. In it, they used some dialogues including ‘Joy Bangla.’ That is why the police arrested them.”

He also mentioned that the children have a Facebook page where they upload entertainment videos.

Relatives of the arrested children said that these kids are not affiliated with any political party.

This incident has sparked concern locally. Parents and human rights activists see the filing of a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against children in such a matter as questionable.