'Govt tainted its image by arresting Shahidul'

Says Anu Muhammad at exhibition of the photographer's works

The government tainted its image by arresting Shahidul Alam, Prof Anu Muhammad said yesterday at the inauguration of a photo exhibition of the detained photographer. 

“Government considers him a threat as it thinks his remarks tarnished its image. But the way it is conducting its activities are enough to ruin that image,” said the professor condemning the arrest of the photographer.

Drik organised the photo exhibition titled, “A Struggle for Democracy -- A Photo Journey by Shahidul Alam”, to protest the photographer's imprisonment, and also to mark its founding anniversary at Drik Gallery in the capital.

Noted researcher Professor Meghna Guhathakurta said that the way government wants to portray Shahidul is entirely wrong.

“Democracy means talking for the people, and Shahidul spoke on behalf of the people through his photography,” she said, urging to raise more voices to release the photographer.

Rights activist Khushi Kabir criticised judges who felt “embarrassed” to hear Shahidul's bail petition at the High Court earlier in the day.

Terming Shahidul's work a “struggle for democracy”, Rahnuma Ahmed, director of Drik, called on the government to release the photographer.

ASM Rezaur Rahman, curator of Drik, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua and politician Zonayed Saki also spoke at the event.

The photography exhibition, displaying Shahidul's work over the last 40 years, covers themes like natural disasters, anti-government movements, lives of migrant workers and sex workers, human rights abuses, enforced disappearances and more. It will continue till September 10 from 3:00-8:00pm every day at the venue.

• Courtesy: The Daily Star /Sept 05, 2018