JU students demand release of Shahidul Alam. Photo : BSS

JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Oct 9, 2025 (BSS) - Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) formed a human chain on the campus today demanding the immediate release of eminent Bangladeshi photographer and writer Shahidul Alam, reportedly detained by Israeli forces.
 
The demonstration, held around 4:00 pm at the university's Shaheed Minar premises, was organized to express solidarity with the international humanitarian mission and to protest Israel's genocide in Gaza.

Carrying placards and chanting slogans such as "Free Free Palestine," "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," "Stop genocide in Gaza," and "Let truth speak free, free Shahidul Alam," the protesters called for global action against Israeli aggression.

Addressing the rally, Zia Uddin Ayan, a student of the Department of Government and Politics, said Israeli forces have been committing genocide against the freedom-seeking people of Palestine for years, killing countless innocent civilians, including children.

He said the international activists on board the Freedom Flotilla were on a humanitarian mission when they were detained by Israeli forces. "Among them was our renowned photographer Shahidul Alam," Ayan added, urging the interim government to take swift diplomatic measures to secure his release and ensure his safe return home.

Farhana Binte Jigar Farina, a student of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), criticized the inaction of the Muslim world, saying, "We are witnessing brutal atrocities against our Palestinian brothers, yet most Muslim nations remain disgracefully silent."

She said it was shameful that Muslim countries were failing to act while innocent Palestinians continued to die under Israeli attacks, demanding the immediate release of Shahidul Alam and all others detained by Israel.