Thirty-four eminent citizens in a statement yesterday expressed deep concern over the protests outside the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka and Chattogram, as well as the attacks on Prothom Alo's offices in Rajshahi and Bogura.

They also called upon the government and all stakeholders to ensure the safety of media outlets and journalists while safeguarding freedom of expression.

"We observe with deep anger and concern that on November 25, at Rajshahi's Saheb Bazar Zero Point, a group operating under the banner of 'Alem Ulama and Tawhidi Janata' created chaos in the name of protests, demanding the shutdown of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star," the statement said.

The statement also mentioned the protests in front of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices.

"Such audacious and violent attacks by communal groups not only target two reputable newspapers but also constitute an assault on the entire media's freedom and a threat to journalists' safety.

"We unequivocally assert that everyone has the right to freedom of expression. If there are grievances regarding any published news or reports, proper legal or constructive measures should be adopted. Protests and attacks demanding the shutdown of newspapers are completely unacceptable," the statement added.

The statement added that some protesters accused The Daily Star and Prothom Alo of being "architects of turning devout Muslims into militants."

"This is a grave accusation, and it is unclear on what basis these claims are made. Such sweeping allegations, incitements, and the spread of hatred on social media must be investigated to determine whether any vested interest groups are orchestrating these activities for ulterior motives."

The statement noted that the two newspapers targeted in these protests had faced numerous lawsuits, harassment, and blacklisting under the previous authoritarian regime.

"The editors of these newspapers were subjected to dozens of harassment cases filed by ruling party members. After the fall of the autocratic government, the misuse of freedom of assembly and expression to incite communal hatred and create chaos seems to be part of a broader attempt to destabilise the country and render it dysfunctional," the statement read.

The emergence of a new culture of fear is also evident, the statement said.

"Therefore, we urge the government to take this matter seriously, investigate the instigators and their patrons, and take legal action against them. We welcome the Information Advisor's commitment to addressing those involved in the attacks on media offices. However, action must also be taken against those inciting these events," the statement added.

They also urged the public to remain vigilant against incitement and misinformation and to stand united in protecting freedom of the press.

The signatories of the statement are: Dhaka University (DU) Emeritus Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, DU Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, former Jahangirnagar University Prof Anu Muhammad, Human Rights Activist Sultana Kamal, Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, DU Prof Robaet Ferdous, Supreme Court Senior Advocates ZI Khan Panna, Subrata Chowdhury, and Tobarak Hossain, BLAST Honorary Executive Director Barrister Sara Hossain, London School of Economics and Political Science Visiting Prof Swapan Adnan, ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda, DU Prof Samina Lutfa, Photographer Shahidul Alam, Writer Rehnuma Ahmed, DU Prof Jobaida Nasreen, DU Prof Khairul Islam Choudhury, BELA acting chief Executive Taslima Islam, BNWLA Executive Director Advocate Salma Ali, Lancaster University Researcher Sadaf Noor, Nagarik Udyog Chief Executive Zakir Hossain, Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad General Secretary Manindra Kumar Nath, SC advocate Minhajul Haque Chowdhury, Coast Trust Executive Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Journalists Saydia Gulrukh and Mahbub Hasan, Sammilito Samajik Andolon GS Saleh Ahmed, Islamic University teacher Farha Tanzim Titil, SC lawyers Barrister Ashraf Ali, Barrister Shuvra Chakraborty, Barrister Shahadat Alam, DU teacher Rushad Faridi, Human Rights Activist Dipayan Khisa, and Indigenous Rights activist Hana Shams Ahmed.