Islamists, banned groups in Bangladesh have become more active post fall of Hasina govt, says Bangladeshi professor

Edited and posted by Al Ngullie
February 8,2025 02:31 PM
HORNBILL TV

Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Dhaka, stated that Islamist groups in Bangladesh have gained more freedom after Sheikh Hasina left.

Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 8 (HBTV): Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Dhaka, stated that Islamist groups in Bangladesh have gained more freedom after Sheikh Hasina left the country.

Speaking to ANI, Kalimullah said that several banned Islamist outfits are now active in Bangladesh and are even holding press conferences.

'Of course. Islamists have succeeded in carving out a larger space in the public domain. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strengthened its position. The Hefazat-e-Islam movement has become stronger. Personalities such as the Peer of Charmonai have gained prominence. Even Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is an outlawed organization, is now visible. They are distributing leaflets, putting up posters, waving flags in different places, marching in the streets, and even convening press conferences. Officially, this outfit is not a legal entity, and their media coordinator is behind bars. However, in reality, they are functioning,' he said.

Referring to the incident on Wednesday in which a mob vandalized the residence of Bangladesh's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Kalimullah noted that the attackers were seen waving flags and putting up posters.

'On the fateful day of February 5, at Road No. 32, in Sheikh Mujib's residence, which has been turned into a museum, they were seen waving flags and putting up posters on the wall,' he told ANI.

According to Dhaka Tribune, a mob stormed and vandalized Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence. Visuals showed flames on one of the floors of the house.

The protesters, reportedly demanding a ban on the Awami League, forced their way into the premises after breaking open the gate, causing widespread destruction, Dhaka Tribune reported, citing UNB. Local media linked the protest to an online speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Social media posts had earlier called for a 'Bulldozer Procession' toward Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence at Dhanmondi-32 if Sheikh Hasina delivered a speech, Dhaka Tribune reported. By 10:45 pm (local time), an excavator had been brought to demolish the house. Protesters, who arrived in a rally around 8:00 pm, forced their way in, breaking the main gate before proceeding to vandalize the property.

Many protesters reportedly climbed to the second floor, using hammers, crowbars, and wooden planks to destroy portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and damage sections of the historic house, Dhaka Tribune reported. (ANI)