Islamist groups Hefazat-e-Islam and Bangladesh Tariqat Federation have chosen Shapla Chattar of Motijheel in the capital to hold rallies on November 15.
Nearly six months after holding a rally at the city’s busiest financial hub, radical Islamist group Hefazat declared the rally on November 2 to realise its 13-point demands, release of its leaders and activists detained over the May 5-6 mayhem and cancelling the Qawmi Madrasa Education Authority Bill, 2013.
Tariqat Federation announced the rally on November 3 with a call to resist Jamaat-Shibir and protesting “conspiracy of making the country a Taliban state.”
Party Chairman Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizbhandari told the Dhaka Tribune that they would hold the rally at any cost. He said they had to reschedule rallies three times this year.
He said: “We have already submitted an application to the DMP for permission and hope that the government will allow us to hold the rally this time.”
He also claimed that the party had over 450 Sufi Pirs, around 1,400 shrines and more than 50m supporters of its activities.
Hefazat’s Dhaka unit Press Secretary Ahlullah Wasel told the Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday that they had not submitted application to the DMP seeking permission for holding the rally.
Regarding the other rally, Wasel said Tariqat Federation was making jokes.