পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড).pdf/২৪৯

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বিতীয় খন্ড
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 Maulana Akram Khan said that the Press curbs were not shackles on the Press alone; these were ‘directed against the whole nation’.

 The Maulana had a word of caution for the demonstrators. He said that there might be many provocations from many quarters. But we shall have to be constantly on guard against these and maintain peace at any cost.

 He concluded by quoting from Tagore: ‘The more they tighten the fetters on us. The more these shall fall off. The more they redden their eyes, the more our eyes see into the things’.

 Mr. Tafazzal Hossain, Editor, Ittefaq, who is also the Chairman of the IPI, Pakistan branch pointed out the Silver lining in the black clouds that hang ominously over the press and said that the unity that had been forged among the profession and industry of newspapers, consequent upon the injurics inflicted by the press curbs, indicated a bright future of the nation.

 This conflict, he said; revolved round the life and death question of a free nation and not only the life and death of journalists and their profession. He said that the solid unity of journalists, newspaper employees and owners as demonstrated that day was the most effective shield of the freedom of Press.

Preparedness for protracted struggle.

 Mr. Abdus Salam, Editor, the Pakistan Observer, said it was a day to take fresh oaths to be in the fight: for, this struggle would be long and protracted. The Government seemed to have closed its eyes and had prepared to go a long way with their doings he said and added, hence we will have to prepare ourselves to fight to the day we have achieved Press freedom.

 The Chairman of the EPUJ Committee of Action, Mr. Sirajuddin Hossain, who presided over the meeting, thanked the striking journalists, newspaper employees and local Editors, for their participation in the day’s programme. He stressed the need for maintaining peace and discipline in the procession which was about to start.

Resolutions.

 The meeting adopted the following resolutions:

1. This meeting of journalists. Press workers and other newspaper employees denounces the black Acts of the Government directed against the national Press of Pakistan.
A gagged press is a national disgrace and is essentially anti-national in character. Press freedom is the basis of all freedoms. Press curbs are a clear denial of the fundamental rights of the people. There can be no free people without a free Press. The repressive and restrictive measures taken against the Pressmen and the newspaper industry as a whole are inflicting deep wounds on the nation. The