By Redowan Ibne Saiful Bangladesh is witnessing one of the most severe crackdowns on press freedom in its 54-year history. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), as of September 2024, 28 journalists remain under investigation in connection with the recent mass protests. The violence has not been limited to investigations and arrests; journalists have become direct targets of brutal attacks.
On 7 August 2025, journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin was killed with machete blows in Gazipur after filming armed men chasing a young man. Just a day earlier, reporter Anwar Hossain was seriously injured by brick blows in the same city while investigating cases of extortion. On 31 August, the body of Bulu, a 60-year-old journalist, was found under Khulna’s Khan Jahan Ali Bridge with a crushed face and broken arms. Police recovered his body in the evening, later identified by his family.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned these incidents and urged authorities to bring those responsible, allegedly members of armed gangs, to justice and to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of journalists.
The wave of repression has intensified against journalists perceived to have links with the ruling Awami League. RSF reports that 29 journalists were arrested within a single month. On 29 August, no fewer than 25 journalists were charged with crimes against humanity in connection with the death of a protester in July. Among those charged are well-known figures such as Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed.
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Beyond arrests and violence, press freedom faces mounting threats from political manoeuvring. Coordinators aligned with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and the National Coordination Platform (NCP) are accused of using intimidation and force to take control of media outlets. A prominent media house was recently taken over by a former army officer and NCP leader. Meanwhile, one of the key coordinators, Hasanat Abdullah, reportedly threatened the CEO of Shomoy TV to dismiss four journalists. In another incident, a talk-show host was removed from her position following the leak of an off-the-record conversation; she was speaking against one of Yunus’ close student coordinators.
This combination of arrests, physical violence, intimidation, and forced takeovers underscores an alarming erosion of press freedom in Bangladesh. Both local and international watchdogs warn that unless urgent steps are taken, the country risks silencing independent journalism at a time when public accountability is most needed.
Crackdown Extends To Teachers And Universities
The wave of repression in Bangladesh has not been limited to journalists. Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5 and the subsequent rise of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as a key political force, teachers and academics have also come under heavy pressure.
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At Dhaka University, students have forcefully boycotted the classes of at least 50 teachers from various departments and faculties. Most of these educators are associated with Nil Dal politics, a faction linked to the previous government, and many were accused by students of failing to support them during the recent protests (Financial Times).
The crackdown has taken on a communal dimension as well. At least 49 teachers belonging to minority communities were forced to resign following the change in power (Indian Express).
Disciplinary actions have been widespread in other institutions, too. According to Bangladesh Agricultural University administration sources (Prothom Alo):
- Teachers: 6 dismissed, 12 removed, 8 demoted to lower ranks, and 31 reprimanded.
- Officials: 8 dismissed, 8 removed, 7 reprimanded, and 1 fined 500,000 taka.
- Employees: 2 dismissed and 19 reprimanded.
- Students: 7 expelled for life and 24 had their academic certificates cancelled.
On 27 August 2025, Sheikh Hafizur Rahman (Karzon), a professor in the Department of Law at Dhaka University, was arrested by police after being besieged by a group of people. During his arrest, Professor Rahman openly condemned what he described as attempts to dismantle the country’s constitutional order. (Prothom Alo)
“We are witnessing that an ill attempt is going on to throw away the country’s constitution. Jamaat (Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami), Shibir (Islami Chhatra Shibir), and the National Citizen Party (NCP) are behind this. They have been adorning freedom fighters with garlands of shoes under the leadership of Professor Yunus,” he said as police took him away.
Professor Rahman was taken into custody without any formal allegations, prompting widespread concern among academics and civil society groups. His arrest is seen as part of the broader climate of repression in Bangladesh’s universities, where boycotts, forced resignations, and disciplinary measures against educators have become increasingly common.
These sweeping measures against educators, officials, and students highlight how the political transition is reshaping the country’s academic sphere. Critics argue that universities, traditionally considered centers of debate and dissent, are now being subjected to the same climate of fear and control that journalists face, raising further concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms.
Crackdown on the Bangladesh Students’ League
Since Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power on 5 August, a massive crackdown has unfolded against students aligned with the spirit of the Liberation War and the ruling Awami League. Members and supporters of the Bangladesh Students’ League (BSL), the student wing of the Awami League, have faced arrests, expulsions, and suspensions across the country.
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One of the most symbolic cases occurred when police arrested a young student simply for chanting “Joy Bangla.” Numerous minors have also been detained for their affiliation with the BCL, raising concerns over the targeting of children for political reasons.
Universities nationwide have implemented sweeping punitive measures:
- Dhaka University: 128 students dismissed. (Source: TBS)
- Jahangirnagar University: Of current students, 64 are permanently expelled, 37 suspended for two years, 8 for one year, and 1 for six months. Twenty students were acquitted. Among 99 former students, 73 had their certificates cancelled, 6 had certificates suspended for two years, while 20 were cleared. (Source: TBS)
- Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET): 19 students suspended for alleged “anti-disciplinary” activities, most reportedly linked to the BCL. (Source: Financial Times)
- Chittagong University: 84 students expelled over various allegations. (Source: Daily Star)
- Rajshahi University (RU): 33 students expelled. (Source: TBS)
- BUET and RUET: 8 students at BUET and 4 students at RUET were permanently expelled for political affiliation. BUET also suspended 52 others for different terms. (Source: Observerbd)
This scenario is normal in every university or college in Bangladesh; thousands of students are expelled from their educational institution for being engaged in student politics. If anyone opens their Facebook news feed or newspaper, there is news that dozens are being barred from their education rights for political involvement
The crackdown extends beyond higher education. Reports indicate that more than 10,000 students did not appear for their SSC and HSC examinations amid the climate of fear and political suppression.
Since August 5, the BSL has been subjected to what observers describe as the heaviest repression in its history, with more than 15,000 student leaders arrested nationwide.
The current political climate in Bangladesh has also heavily impacted universities and colleges, where student politics is a common form of engagement. Under the Yunus administration, thousands of students have been expelled or barred from their educational institutions simply for participating in student political activities.
This trend is widespread: a casual look at social media feeds or newspapers reveals regular reports of students being punished for their political involvement. For many young people, engaging in student politics—once a vibrant platform for expression and activism—now carries severe consequences, including loss of education, harassment, and legal action.
The systematic targeting of politically active students reflects a broader strategy of silencing dissent and controlling the next generation of political actors, further weakening democratic participation in Bangladesh.
This escalating campaign against student activists underscores the broader erosion of political freedoms in Bangladesh, where students, historically the backbone of democratic movements, are now being silenced through expulsions, criminal charges, and police action.
Redowan Ibne Saiful: Writer, activist
Bengali 
English