Police barred a protest procession of Bangladesh Chhatra Federation when it tried to move towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka’s Baridhara, protesting communal violence in India and border killings.
As per an announced program, more than a hundred members of the organization gathered near the capital’s Natun Bazar bus stop on Thursday morning and started marching towards the high commission to hold a sit-in protest program.
However, they were obstructed by police and were forced to protest in the Natun Bazar area, where they demanded an immediate end to communal violence in Delhi, Meghalaya, and other parts of India.
They also demanded that Felani and other victims of border killings by Indian border forces be served justice.
The protesters also announced a demonstration to be held on March 11 in front of the Foreign Ministry, against the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh.
Gulshan police OC SM Kamruzzaman said, confirming the development: “We convinced them not to go further after they set off from the bus stop and then they held their protest on the spot.”
No untoward incident took place and no one was held in this connection, he added.
Islamic parties against Modi’s tour
Meanwhile, Qawmi madrasa based Islamic political party Jamiat-Ulama-e-Islam, Bangladesh, threatened a tough movement if Modi is allowed to visit Bangladesh for the celebration of Mujib Year.
Bangladesh Chhatra Federation at a protest rally at Natun Bazar area in Dhaka on Thursday, March 5, 2020 | Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
Addressing a discussion on the ongoing violence against Muslims in India, held at the National Press Club on Thursday, leaders of the party condemned the persecution of Muslims in the neighbouring country.
The party’s Secretary General Moulana Nur Hossain Kashemi said Modi will not be allowed to visit Bangladesh.
“Devout muslims in Bangladesh will not tolerate Modi’s visit to Dhaka since he directly patronized the massacre of Muslims by violent Hindus and law enforcement in India,” he said.
Meanwhile, Islami Oikya Jote’s Sylhet unit President Maulana Mufti Abdul Kaiyum Hakkani, also raised his voice at the national council program 2020 of the party, against Modi’s visit.
He said the people of this muslim majority country will be hurt if "muslim killer" Modi comes to Bangladesh.
However, Muktijuddho Mancha, the platform of descendants of freedom fighters, announced colourful programs to welcome Modi, including a colourful welcome procession on March 9.
The Indian premier is expected to arrive in Dhaka to join the inauguration of Mujib Year, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on March 17.