Citizens Condemn False Cases, Demand Release of Detained Participants After Mob Attack on Mancha 71 Event

On August 28, a newly formed organization named Mancha 71, also known as Platform 71, organized a roundtable discussion titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh.” The event, held with the aim of reflecting on the values of the Liberation War and the importance of upholding the country’s Constitution, brought together a diverse group of eminent citizens including freedom fighters, lawyers, university teachers, journalists, trade union leaders, and social activists. The discussion was conducted peacefully until it was suddenly disrupted by a violent mob that stormed the venue, physically assaulted participants, and shouted provocative and threatening slogans. The attackers, identifying themselves as “July Joddha” or “Warriors of July,” are known to be linked with Islamist political groups and militant elements.

Eyewitnesses and participants expressed shock at the sudden violence, emphasizing that such attacks on freedom fighters and intellectuals mirror a dangerous trend that threatens democracy and civic rights in Bangladesh. Rather than protecting the participants and arresting the attackers, the police detained 16 respected citizens who had been attending the discussion and took them to the Detective Branch office. Later, a case was filed against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act, while no action was taken against those who carried out the mob attack. Critics of this move have described it as a grave injustice and a direct attack on the principles of the rule of law.

Citizens and signatories to a statement condemning the incident argued that mob violence is clearly a criminal act under the laws of Bangladesh, while organizing a peaceful roundtable discussion is a lawful democratic practice. They warned that criminalizing such gatherings not only undermines democracy but also suppresses freedom of expression and insults the very ideals of the Liberation War. The statement demanded the immediate release of the detained citizens, the withdrawal of the false and baseless case against them, and legal action against those who instigated and carried out the violent attack.

The condemnation and demands have been endorsed by a wide group of respected individuals, many of whom are freedom fighters, intellectuals, professionals, and activists living both in Bangladesh and abroad. Among the signatories are Tajul Imam, freedom fighter, artist and painter based in the USA; Yousuf Chowdhury, freedom fighter and engineer from Boston, USA; Aktar Zaman, freedom fighter and jury judge at the District Court in Uppsala, Sweden; Mohammed Shamim Mridha, freedom fighter and president of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, Florida, USA; Quazi I. Iqbal, freedom fighter and FCA, director of operations in California, USA; and Parvez Hashem, lawyer and human rights activist in Florida, USA.

Other signatories include Charlotte Jacquemart, senior journalist of Swiss Public Radio, Switzerland; Md. Sadique Hasan, advisor at Haukeland University Hospital, Norway; Ishtiaq Jamil, professor at Bergen University, Norway; Aminur Rahman, researcher at Haukeland University Hospital, Norway; Shelina Afroze Zaman, retired school teacher and member of Uppsala City Council, Sweden; Tonoy Emroz Alam, social worker in Germany; Saifur Rahman Mishu, member of the Global Justice Network Foundation in Sweden; Minhaz Ahmed, author and journalist in the USA; Rezaul Kabir Badal, scientist in Ontario, Canada; Toufiq Maruf, senior journalist and analyst; and Al Amin Babu, organizer and singer in the USA.

Also among the signatories are Nahida Naser, social worker in the USA; Nahar Mamtaz, social worker in Sweden; Shohela Purvin Shova, sculptor in France; Tuhin Das, poet in the USA; Murad Khan, managing director of Rapid Security Services Ltd. in the Netherlands; Biddut Kal, former general secretary of Bangladesh Association in Norway; Adiba Jahan, social worker in Bangladesh; and Liaquat Hossain Limon, blogger, activist, and human rights worker, Violet Halder, Editor & Publisher, Somoyer Shobdo, Norway.

The statement concluded with a strong call for the government and authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure that freedom fighters, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens are not humiliated or silenced through unlawful violence. The signatories stressed that protecting democratic space, freedom of expression, and justice is not only a constitutional duty but also a moral responsibility rooted in the spirit of the Liberation War.