A young man, named Sumon Showdagor (35), was arrested from Bakshiganj, Jamalpur under the Digital Security Act for making derogatory comments towards few ministers including Obaidul Quader, General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges through Facebook post. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses deep concern over this incident and demands immediate release of the victim.

According to mass media reports, in the afternoon of 21 March 2020, Saiful Islam Bijoy, General Secretary of local Awami League, filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Sumon Showdagor for ridiculing the ministers. Afterwards he was arrested by police that mid-night. The judge sent him to the prison and announced to hold his hearing of remand on 25 March. The complaint was that Sumon Showdagor had posted offensive comments on his facebook page ridiculing few ministers including Obaidul Quader, Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Hasan Mahmud, Minister of Information and Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister of Ministry of Shipping.

ASK is deeply concerned regarding this incident of sending the young man behind bars by filing a case under the highly controversial Digital Security Act. ASK believes that some provisions in this Act contradicts with the freedom of speech and press. ASK had been expressing its concern since the very beginning of the draft preparation and demanded for its amendment after the law has been passed. After the law was passed, considering the concerns of media and human rights activists, the Honourable Law Minister assured that there was scope for amendment. However, we do not see any initiative regarding this till date; rather we have been noticing that the law being massively misused for political purposes. ASK demands the immediate release of Sumon Showdagor and withdrawal of the case filed against him. Besides, ASK urges necessary amendments to be brought to this law after discussion with all the concerned stakeholders.

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