How can posters like 'City dwellers want servers, not exploiters' or 'Why are people burdened with withholding tax' become defamatory for anyone? There is no law in the country prohibiting putting up posters on civic issues and concerns. Raising voice on these issues of public interest cannot be considered a crime.
It is alleged that the reason behind Shamim Ashraf's case was the internal discord of Awami League in Mymensingh. In the last parliamentary elections the posters designed by him played a role in creating public opinion in favor of the winning candidate and against the losing candidate. Therefore, after the elections, the defeated candidate wanted an explanation from Shamim. The defeated candidate is none other than the brother of Ikramul Haq, who is the immediate past mayor of the Municipal Corporation and a candidate in the mayoral election to be held on March 9.
Why should a young poet and graphic designer pay the price of Awami League's internal conflict? In the past, influential people would simply prosecute under the Digital Security Act and put the accused in jail. Mymensingh Municipal Corporation has previously set a bad precedent of ensuring arrest of the accused under Section 54 as many sections of the Cyber Security Act are bailable.
We demand withdrawal of the case against Shamim Ashraf without any delay.