A case has been filed over the recent clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat on the Turag River bank in Tongi, Gazipur.
A sub-inspector of Tongi police station, on Sunday, filed a case accusing 20 to 25 unidentified men.
In the case, the men were accused of obstructing the police from performing their duties and attacking the police during clashes.
Officer-in-Charge of Tongi police station Emdadul Haque confirmed the matter, reports UNB.
What happened at Saturday’s clash?
At least one person was killed in a series of clashes between two factions of Tabligh Jamaat that were trying to establish their dominance over the Bishwa Ijtema grounds.
More than 200 people were also injured in the clashes.
What is this fight all about?
In January, hundreds of members of the Bangladesh chapter of the Islamic movement, Tabligh Jamaat, and some Qawmi madrasa “alems” – clerics –, staged a demonstration near Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka—protesting the arrival of Indian preacher Maulana Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi.
Also Read- One killed, over 200 injured in Tabligh Jamaat factional clash in Tongi
Facing stern opposition from a faction of Tabligh Jamaat, Al Kandhalvi had to return to New Delhi without attending Biswa Ijtema—the second largest religious congregation of Muslims after Hajj.
The radical Islamic organization Hefazat-e-Islam initially tried to prevent Saad’s arrival— because they were strongly opposed to his participation in Ijtema activities and opposed his statements made during the last Bishwa Ijtema.
Their opposition stemmed from allegations, by Hefazat leaders, that he made “controversial statements about the Quran and Sunnah.”
Tabligh’s Bangladesh chapter split into two groups following disputes between its top leaders. Both factions wanted to establish their dominance over the group’s followers and disagreed about Al Kandhalvi’s visit.
Also Read- Tabligh Jamaat clash: What is this fight all about?
The government, on September 18, issued five directives to resolve Tabligh Jamaat’s internal disputes and ensure they carry out their activities in an organized manner.
Currently, Al Kandhalvi’s followers in Bangladesh are not allowed into Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh chapter’s “markaz” – headquarters– at the Kakrail Mosque in Dhaka.
The government decided to postpone Bishwa Ijtema due to the ongoing dispute between the factions and the upcoming 11th parliamentary election—which is slated for December 30.
Held every winter in Bangladesh, the next Ijtema was supposed to be held the second or third week of January.
