Mamunul Haque, secretary general of Khelafat Majlis, attended his first political meeting since being released from prison.
The meeting, held at the party's central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, on Saturday, saw the formation of a special committee led by Mamunul Haque to develop and propose the party's future action plan.
Several central leaders of Khelafat Majlis revealed that Mamunul Haque discussed his time in prison and shared experiences with others who had also been incarcerated.
Since his release from Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur on May 3, Mamunul Haque has been interacting with supporters and receiving well-wishers daily.
Close associates of Mamunul Haque claim that his current focus is on the trial and analysis of the Shapla Chattar incident of May 5, 2013. Alongside initiating this process, he intends to remain active in promoting the politics of forming an Islamic state.
Mamunul Haque, central joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, was arrested on April 18, 2021, from Mohammadpur Jamiya Rahmaniya Arabia Madrasa in Dhaka.
Party leaders regard the Shapla Chattar incident as significant in the post-independence era. However, there are doubts about the current Hefazat leadership's stance on the matter.
An inquiry committee was established by Hefazat-e-Islam after the 2013 incident. A member of this committee said that the investigation stalled due to specific pressures and never produced a report.
A Khelafat Majlis leader said that public programs might be delayed until next winter.
Joint Secretary General Ataullah Amin confirmed that Mamunul Haque attended the executive committee meeting and discussed various ongoing political issues but no decisions were made. The party is observing the current situation before finalizing any plans.
A source close to Mamunul Haque said that since his release, he has chosen to remain silent and has not actively participated in receptions or other arrangements.
He plans to visit Chittagong soon but is not expected to engage significantly in government or political matters for now. Despite attempts to reach him for comment, Mamunul Haque has declined to speak to the media, preferring to assess the situation before making any public statements.
Mamunul Haque faces charges related to the May 5, 2013 Shapla Chattar movement, with a total of 41 cases against him. He is currently out on bail.
During the Khelafat Majlis meeting, leaders emphasized ongoing political issues, including bank robbery, the country's economic situation, the Faridpur killings, and border incidents.
The party’s Ameer Ismail Nurpuri said: “India is ruining Bangladesh’s education and culture. If we want to protect the independence, sovereignty and Islamic values, we must resist India’s dominance.”
In a press release signed by Azizur Rahman Helal, the party's central office and organizing secretary, Ismail Nurpuri criticized the mismanagement at Bangladesh Bank and the suppression of journalists.
He condemned the economic misdeeds, said that people would not accept the destruction of the nation's economy in this manner.
