BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has strongly condemned recent attacks on newspaper offices, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, describing the incidents as a national disgrace. Speaking at a media dialogue in Dhaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel, organized to mark acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, he accused the government of negligence despite prior intelligence warnings about possible violence.

Ahmed questioned the delayed response of law enforcement and said the attacks reflect a growing intolerance toward the press. He urged stronger institutional safeguards for democracy and called for accountability from those responsible for ensuring free and fair elections. Other BNP leaders, including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, echoed concerns about press freedom and political repression, citing past mistreatment of senior journalists.

Editors attending the event, such as Matiur Rahman Chowdhury of Manabzamin, emphasized the need for a clear media policy and collective unity to face future challenges. The discussion underscored the fragile state of media safety and democratic institutions ahead of Tarique Rahman’s anticipated political re-engagement.