
The declaration of the daily ‘JaiJai Din’ has been revoked by the office of the Dhaka district magistrate and deputy commissioner following an application by its former editor Shafik Rehman, sparking protests from the newspaper’s current management and journalists.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the capital, Kazi Rukunuddin Ahmed, acting editor of the newspaper, along with the current owners and journalists, protested against the ‘illegal occupation’ of the newspaper’s main office and the ‘unjust cancellation’ of its declaration.
In his written statement, Kazi Rukunuddin said that a ‘malicious group’, with Shafik Rehman in the forefront, had illegally seized the main office and the printing press.
He also mentioned that they had resorted to lies and deception to continue their conspiracy to seize ‘JaiJai Din’ from its current owner, Sayed Hossain Chowdhury.
‘We attempted to resolve the matter quietly, keeping in mind the respect for this senior journalist. However, this group is trying to influence the law and the court, constantly distorting truth and fabricated lies.’
After the ‘JaiJai Din’ office and press in Tejgaon Industrial Area were seized, the newspaper continued to print from another press following proper procedures, informing the DC office about the change, he added, mentioning that despite this, the DC office, after receiving Shafik Rehman’s application, revoked the newspaper’s declaration under ‘baseless’ pretences.
Kazi Rukunuddin said, ‘The government has repeatedly emphasised media freedom, yet an influential group has manipulated the system to revoke the declaration of a legally operating media outlet.’