Indian artists urge release of Bangladeshi photographer

By Mutasim Billah

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - More than 400 Indian photographers, filmmakers and artists urged the "immediate" release of renowned Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam, who was detained by police following a media interview over student protests that have gripped capital Dhaka.

“We are deeply concerned and agitated by the news of the arbitrary and unreasonable detention of our colleague, friend and mentor, the photographer and educator Shahidul Alam, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, under provisions of the draconian ICT [Information and Communication Technology] act,” according to a public statement by Indian artists on social media.

“We will continue to draw attention to Shahidul Alam’s condition and shame the Bangladeshi authorities on every available international forum until Shahidul Alam’s liberty is restored to him and until the state in Bangladesh decides to listen and be sensitive to the demands of the young people who have had to assemble on the streets of Dhaka to protect and preserve their life and bodily safety as they go to and from school and university.”

At least 20 plainclothes officers picked up Alam, 63, from his residence in Dhaka late on Sunday, hours after his comments were aired on Al Jazeera, where he said the protests signified growing frustration with the autocratic government.

He was later produced in a court. Social media footage shows a limping Alam saying: "They washed by blood-stained Punjabi [shirt] and then made me wear it again."

Protests across Dhaka began after a speeding bus killed two students on July 29.

Students are out on the roads protesting against the country's chaotic traffic as the government blames the opposition for fueling unrest with general elections expected at the end of this year.