By
New Age Islam Special Correspondent
27
March 2021
Hardline
religious group of Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam with the support of other
religious and political organisations on Friday held a protest meeting against
the arrival of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dhaka as part of the
Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the freedom of Bangladesh and the centenary
celebrations of the birth of the architect of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The protests turned violent and the protesters clashed with the police and the
volunteers and Student Wing of Awami League. Similar protests were held in
Chatgram and Brahmanbadiya. 5 protesters were killed due to firing by the
police. Dozens were injured. The police have rounded up dozens of students
associated with Hefazat.
Students
and youth have also reportedly vandalised a police station and a railway
station.
Today,
on Saturday, Hefazat held protests in Dhaka to condemn the police attack on
protesters and demanded investigation into the killing and punishment to the
police personnel found guilty. They also demanded compensation to the kin of
the dead.
The
Hefazat-e-Islam has announced a strike on Sunday in protest of the police
action. Hefazat leader Junaid Babunagari has threatened to launch continuous
protests if the government tried to suppress the strike.
The
violence and the deaths that followed the protests have turned the celebrations
into a crisis. The situation may aggravate further if the government uses force
to disturb the strike on Sunday.
Flashpoint: Members of the
Hefazat-e-Islam group clashing with the police in Dhaka on Friday. | Photo Credit: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN
---------
On
Saturday, a number of representatives of religious and cultural organisations
participated in the protest meeting at the National Press Club in Dhaka. Mr
Zafarullah Choudhury, the founder of Ganaswastha Kendra was the most critical
of the Hasina government. Addressing her he said, "You are forcing the
people of our country to greet the man-eater, the beast the most communal
person Narendra Modi. Hefazat-e-Islam whom you tried to silence by trying to
bribe them has come forward in protest against Modi.
General
Secretary of the Bangladesh Biplabi Party, said that by creating a curfew like
situation, Hasina government has turned the national celebration into only a
celebration of Modi and the government.
The
Convenor of the Ganasamhati Andolan Junaid Saki said, "Communalism is a
curse that divides citizens. We have witnessed this how India is burning due to
communalism. Now this is coming to Bangladesh. We are protesting the communal
forces like BJP that spreads communalism and hatred in India.
Another
speaker Nurul Haque Nur said, "We condemn Sheikh Hasina government's
actions. They have accepted the servitude of the Indian imperialism and to
appease Narendra Modi whose party BJP attacked mosques and slaughtered Muslims
in India, attacked the protesters."
However,
the General Secretary of the ruling party Awami League, Obaidul Qadir held BNP
responsible for the violence and deaths. He said, "Hefazat indulged in
violence on Friday to sabotage the Golden Jubillee Celebrations of Independence
with the support of the BNP because the success of the celebrations has caused
heartburn to them"
However,
going by the mood of the general public, Hefazat-e-Islam which has always tried
to exploit religious issues to prove itself the champions of Islam and the
Muslims, used the anti-Modi sentiments to create anti-Hasina mood in the
country. Last year, it had staged similar protests against French Prime
Minister Macron after he had made 'Islam in crisis' remark. Moreover, it had
also opposed Hasina government's decision to install statues of Mujibur Rahman
in Dhaka and other parts of the country as part of the celebrations.
To
appease them, Hasina government had recognised the certificates of the Qaumi
madrasas. Under their pressure, Hasina government passed Digital Security Act
which is used for blasphemy cases against activists.
Still
the Hefazat loses no opportunity to put the Hasina government on the back foot.
The
invitation of the Hasina
Government
to PM Modi to join the Golden Jubilee celebrations provided the Hefazat with
another golden opportunity to prove Sheikh Hasina the enemy of Islam and
Muslims.
The
death of five youth has definitely turned the popular sentiments against Hasina
government.
But at
the same time the Hefazat also cannot be absolved of the responsibility for the
violence and deaths on a diplomatic issue. Hasina government had every right to
invite the head of a neighbouring country in the national celebrations. Hefazat
may not like the invitee and had the right to protest peacefully and make its
opinion known to India and to the Hasina government. According to Islamic
principles, a momin has to obey the Ulil Amr, the decisions of the
democratically elected government. Indulging in violence leading to deaths
comes under the definition of fasad according to the Quran.
PM
Modi is in Bangladesh on a two day diplomatic visit. India being a major
political and military power in Asia may hold special importance for Bangladesh
and so the government of Bangladesh may seek India's co-operation in economic
and defence matters. In the past, India has helped Bangladesh in fighting
terrorism. Therefore, Hasina government's inviting India's Prime Minister
should have been seen from political and diplomatic point of view. By turning
it into a national crisis Hefazat is
furthering Pakistan's agenda of destabilising Bangladesh as friendship
of Bangladesh with India is not in the interests of Pakistan.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-politics/hefazat-e-islam-protests-visiting/d/124613
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