Journalist leaders issued a stern warning to the management of the Daily Janakantha during a sit-in protest held on Tuesday in front of the newspaper’s office in Dhaka. The protest was organized by the Janakantha Journalists, Officers, and Employees Unity Council in response to mass layoffs, show-cause notices, alleged harassment, and the closure of the newspaper’s office. Speakers demanded the immediate withdrawal of termination and show-cause letters, payment of overdue salaries and benefits, and reopening of the office.

Dhaka Union of Journalists acting general secretary Didarul Alam accused Janakantha of continuing to act in favor of authoritarian forces and taking illegal decisions against patriotic journalists and employees. Dhaka Reporters Unity president Abu Saleh Akon alleged that Janakantha had a history of controversial activities and that many journalists had suffered mentally and physically due to its management’s actions. Other speakers claimed that individuals close to the ruling Awami League and Indian influence were still active in the newspaper’s management.

The participants warned that if their demands were not met, they would declare the head of human resources unwanted, besiege the office, and launch a larger movement.