Jibon Ahmed: Witnessing the uprising through a camera lens

On 18th July 2024, during the height of the student protests, Jibon Ahmed was shot while documenting the protests in Rampura. The photojournalists watched the police crack down on the students, even shooting a young boy right in front of his eyes. 

However, as Jibon Ahmed stood before me, calmly smiling, no one could have even imagined the things he had witnessed–not unless you were in a room filled with photos, surrounded by his thorough efforts to document the uprising. 

At Alliance Française de Dhaka's La Gallerie, Jibon Ahmed's solo photography exhibition, 'Witness to the Uprising' attested to the horrors people faced during the July uprising and its aftermath.  

The exhibition is an extension of his recently released book of the same name, that contains photos documenting the July uprising, alongside passages of his own experience. 

Jibon felt it was his duty to create an archive so that history is never lost, and even describes his book as a sort of diary of his experiences during the tumultuous time.

Jibon is a correspondent of Netra News with well over a decade's worth of experience. The photojournalist's journey through the uprising was even featured in a documentary by Al Jazeera, titled, '35th July'.

The gallery takes you on a journey, starting from the student protests to the brutal police crackdown, and the victory that followed. However, it doesn't stop there—it also explores the senseless deaths of innocent Riya, while also displaying photos of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's burnt house in Dhanmondi, as well as photos of countless victims in hospitals.

Jibon is not afraid to make a statement with his work, and makes sure these photos stay with you. On a wall are the words, "No journalist will take photos." These are the words which were announced from a loudspeaker in Dhanmondi 32 on 15 August, 2024—just a few days after the victory.

"Even after covering so much violence, we were stopped. We still do not have freedom of speech," said Jibon, with a note of distress clear in his voice.

Jibon's fight to tell the truth has always been rooted in his aim to tell human stories. 

"Journalism is a broad concept, but my aim has always been to talk for the people and tell their stories," shared Jibon.

He continues, "Protest has many languages. It can be art, music, and even photography. In that way, the camera has always been my biggest weapon."

Jibon also shared how his love for photography extends to street photography, as it provides him the opportunity to see different sides of humanity. 

"I felt like photography is the only occupation where I can tell human stories. I can question the state with a single picture."

However, the fight for truth and justice comes with a heavy cost. 

The photographer shared how fear and danger have become a constant component of his life. 

"When working, the first thing you need to ensure is your safety—and that safety comes in different forms, be it financially or security," noted Jibon.

"I do not involve my family in my work. Even though my mother may have shared the same enthusiasm for my work, I still did not bring her here to my exhibition."

He shared how this state of constant worry and danger is not something he bears alone, but a fear everyone in the profession also goes through. 

Despite the fact that journalists throughout the country go through an immense amount of trauma, the discussion of their mental health has never been on the table. 

"Every event you witness—watching people being gunned down in front of you—it is very traumatic. The trauma doesn't just go away in a day, and it's not like our jobs were done after 5 August. We returned to work."

In fact, the same courage I used to report with during the July uprising, I do not have that same courage anymore. Now, I have to think twice. When photographers work, it creates a sound and leaves a mark on society, but it also makes them a target," shared Jibon. 

'Witness to the Uprising' is not just an archive of a crucial time in history, but it was also Jibon telling more human stories, as he always does. 

He points to the walls, at a young boy bleeding and at another photo of a girl protesting, with Bangladesh's flag wrapped around her head.

"Were these 'political' people? No, they are normal people, they were normal children."

The exhibition opened its doors on 7 August and comes to a close tomorrow.