While the Bangladeshi press kept mum (probably because of self censorship and the timing of publications) the Bangladeshi blogs broke the news within a couple of hours of the incident. Because of widespread amplifications we could get this heard to media, some US congressmen (through Diaspora bloggers) and pressuring the Bangladesh Government. Emails, blog posts demanding release of Tasneem were flying everywhere. Many Bloggers at a Bangla blogging platform suspended regular postings and declared that they will only write about Tasneem Khalil. A South Asian group Blog Pickled Politics was mobilizing a demonstration outside the Bangladesh embassy in London and an e-petition to UK Government. Some bloggers were knocking media sources like BBC through personal contact, why they were not picking up the story, which they did eventually.

The support for Tasneem was overwhelming and not any country specific. According to Technocrati about a 100 blog posts were created for Tasneem within 24 hours. This shows the blogs (and media) working together can counter the forces of oppression.

A commenter (Jason Paz) posted this in the Global Voices:

It is of the utmost importance that we ordinary bloggers speak out against the injustice done Tasneem Khalil. Each of us may only have a small readership, but the effect can be worldwide having an impact on Bangladeshi officials. Oppressors thrive picking off individuals in the darkness of night. We want them to know the whole world is watching. We want their kids to confront them over breakfast. “Daddy, did you do this?”

Yes you bloggers have done it. Take a bow.

Update 9:11:33 pm BDT Tasneem is meeting with Mahfuz Anam in his office alone. Staffers in office say he looks physically ok, but badly shaken up. He is being taken home to his wife by DS staff after the meeting with MA.

• Also, an earlier SM post related to current (or almost current) Bangladeshi politics is here.

Amen.