The radical Islamist platform Hefazat-e-Islam has condemned the cases filed against its chief Junaid Babunagari and Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque for their remarks opposing the installation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s sculptures.
After issuing a media release – signed by its central organizing secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi – in this regard on Monday, the Qawmi madrasa-based platform said that an evil quarter was trying to gain political mileage after pitting the peace-loving alem-ulema community against the government.
“The quarter wants to push the country towards a civil war through provoking the alem-ulema community and the religion-loving people.
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“They first tried to intimidate and later resorted to suing the alem community. We condemn the baseless cases meant for harassment. The alem community of the country cannot be silenced through these cases,” said Islamabadi.
Terming Muktijuddho Moncho a “terrorist organization,” the Hefazat leader said: “The organization in question played a controversial role through carrying out terrorist attacks on the student movements on different occasions. We hope that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not be misguided by them.”
“We have no grudge against the government. However, an anti-Islamic secular quarter is misguiding the government.
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“At the same time, some leaders of pro-government organizations are making provocative comments. We hope that the prudent leadership of the prime minister will steer the country away from confrontation,” he said.
“We hope that the government will not take any adventurous step which will only make matters worse,” Islamabadi added.
The Hefazat leader further said: “We are not against aestheticism, arts and architecture. However, any sort of sculpture in the form of any human being or animal is strictly forbidden in Islam.”
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Till now two cases have been filed against three people, including Hefazat chief Babunagari over the issue.
President of Muktijoddha Mancha Aminul Islam Bulbul and Executive President and founder of Bangabandhu Foundation Advocate Moshiur Malek filed the cases in the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sotyabrata Shikder on Monday.
While addressing an event at Chittagong’s Hathazari upazila on November 27, Babunagari threatened to tear down all statues in the country.