Attack on Prothom Alo-Daily Star shame for nation: Salahuddin

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed likened the recent attacks on the national dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star to a shocking efoul scene around the world, calling it “a national embarrassment.”

Speaking Sunday at a dialogue with editors, reporters, and media heads at Radisson Blu in Dhaka, Salahuddin warned that targeting the media signals weak governance and urged authorities to act decisively.

He questioned the delay in law enforcement response, noting intelligence reports had flagged the attacks beforehand, yet action was slow. “Why did it take hours for the security forces to respond? Who do we entrust the state to?” he asked.

Framing the issue in a larger “game plan” for the nation, Salahuddin emphasised that full democracy is the public’s goal, and constitutional institutions must act as defenders of democratic play.

Drawing on BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return, he said the move could serve as a power play to strengthen Bangladesh’s democratic framework, ending an 18-year “tough exile.”