Hefazet-e-Islam has not planned any programs for the tenth anniversary of the May 5 Shapla Chattar incident on Friday, even though over 200 cases related to the Qawmi madrasa-based organization are still pending. Most of these cases are yet to be investigated, and the trial process for those charged has been slow.
Hefazat leaders have expressed their desire for the unconditional release of activists from these cases and have held meetings with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on several occasions. However, no comments have been made on the matter publicly. According to sources, an unwritten agreement exists between the government and Hefazat, and police units have been instructed to dispose of cases against the organization quickly.
The Police Headquarters, however, has not acknowledged this matter. Some officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police have denied the speedy disposal of Hefazet Islam cases, stating that the final settlement of a case is the jurisdiction of the court. Among the leaders still in jail are Maulana Mamunul Haque, Mufti Sakhawat Hussain Razi, Mufti Munir Hossain Kasemi, Mufti Haroon Izhar, Mufti Noor Hussain Noorani, Mufti Mahmudul Hasan Gunbi, Maulana Rafiqul Islam Madani, Abdul Mannan, and Didarul Alam.
On April 14, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal visited the grave of late Hefazat leader Allama Ahmed Shah Shafi at Hathajari Madrasa, where he also met with current top leaders of Hefazat. Asked about the case against the leaders in custody, the home minister stated that bail was within the jurisdiction of the court. The meeting discussed the issue of release on bail for the jailed leaders and the process was ongoing. The minister expressed that the government does not want to have a hostile relationship with anyone.
Sources said that the police have been instructed to quickly dispose of the cases filed against Hefazat leaders as part of the organization's current good relations with the government. However, no senior official of the Police Headquarters has confirmed this matter, and some officials of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have denied it.
Police said that there is no scope for the police to settle any criminal law case and that the final settlement of the case is the jurisdiction of the court. The police's role is to provide the charge sheet or the final report of the case to the court after conducting investigation.
Sluggish probe
On May 5, 2013, massive violence broke out around the Hefazat rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, organized to press home its 13-point charter and supported by all opposition parties, including the BNP. The law enforcers conducted a flush out operation at midnight to vacate the area. Apart from Dhaka, police clashed with Hefazat workers in seven districts including Narayanganj, Bagerhat, Brahmanbaria.
At least 53 cases were filed in the capital in these incidents. DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Md Farooq Hossain said that out of 53 cases, charges have been pressed in four cases. Remaining 49 cases are under investigation. He refused to say anything more.
After a long break, on March 26, 2021, Hefazat activists held a massive protest in the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area of the capital over the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dhaka. Ruling Awami League activists and the police clashed with the Hefazat supporters several times. The Hefazat protests later spread to various parts of the country including Brahmanbaria, Hathazari of Chittagong, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Kishoreganj. Another 154 cases were filed across the country in these incidents.
In total, 203 violence-related cases against Hefazat leaders and activists are under investigation, according to the Police Headquarters.
During this period, Hefazat leaders continued to negotiate with the administration including the prime minister and home minister at various times. As part of that, many Hefazat leaders are now out on bail. However, 11 leaders are still in jail, said Maulana Mir Muhammad Idris, organizing secretary of Hefazat.
Maulana Idris stated that they have not planned any program for May 5. He explained that Hefazat had organized various programs in response to the 13-point demand in the past, including taking to the streets under the leadership of Allama Ahmad Shafi after bloggers had mocked Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) in 2013.
However, currently, the bloggers are not in public. So the Hefazat leaders are not organizing any public demonstrations. Nonetheless, if the situation requires it, Hefazat is prepared to take to the streets, Maulana Idris said.
He said: “Friday (May 5) is a memorable day for us…this day is a day of tears and sadness. Since there is no day-based mourning in Islam, we have not given any program. However, we are praying for our martyred and imprisoned activists.”
