Won’t tolerate vandalism, arson in name of Islam
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that the government wouldn't tolerate arson and vandalism in the name of Islam.
"I can only tell that legal action will be taken against those responsible for such misdeeds and the law will take its own course," she said, delivering her winding up speech in the 12th session of the 11th parliament which prorogued yesterday amid the second wave of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told parliament that those involved in recent violence and mayhem at different parts of the country have been identified.
In her valedictory speech, Hasina warned Hefajat-e-Islam, saying, "I tell them that they are playing with fire. If a house catches fire, the fire may spread to another house. Can't they understand this?
"From the railway station to the land office, from the DC office to all the other places they have set on fire, what will they do if their madrasas, their houses, are set on fire? Will the people tolerate this? People won't tolerate this."
Hefajat started the rampage when the nation was celebrating the golden jubilee of the country's independence, Hasina said, "Did Hefajat do it alone? The BNP-Jamaat alliance was behind this."
Hefajat men spread a rumour that people were killed at Baitul Mukarram mosque on March 26 and went on a rampage from March 26-31. She said.
The BNP and Jamaat gave separate messages supporting Hefajat on March 27 and 28, she said, adding that it was part of a conspiracy against the state.
After announcing hartal, Hefajat men started destroying properties across the country and attacking Awami League offices, houses of the party leaders and activists, and government offices without provocation, added the PM.
Pointing out that Hefajat men damaged the Quran, Hasina said, "What kind of Muslim they are?"
The BNP and Jamaat supported Hefajat in its protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, but welcomed Modi when he reached Bangladesh, she said, adding that the BNP and Jamaat had no political ideology.
As many as 116 countries, including the USA, the UK, France, Canada, Russia, and 33 international organisations, including OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) and the United Nations, gave felicitation messages marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country's independence, she said.
"But a group of people were not happy about this, why?"
HOME MINISTER'S STATEMENT
Home Minister Asaduzzaman in his statement under section 300 of rules of procedure of parliament said, "Everyone engaged in vandalism and anarchy will be brought under the law. Twenty-two people have been arrested already."
Police were forced to shoot to save their own lives, he said, adding that 17 people died during the Hefajat mayhem.
There was violence in Chattogram's Hathazari, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet and other places over rumors that worshippers had been attacked at the Baitul Mukarram after Juma on April 26.
Hefajat activists attacked the police station in Hathazari. To save their lives, police were forced to shoot. Four people died that day. The same thing happened in Brahmanbaria, the minister said.
MAMUNUL'S SCANDAL
The PM in her speech said Mamunul went to a resort with a woman for entertainment after conducting the vandalism and mayhem.
"The Hefajat leader first introduced the woman with whom he was held as his wife, and later he told his real wife [heard in a leaked phone conversation] that he had to introduce the woman as his wife due to the situation that arose at that time.
"I will call upon the Hefajat leaders and activists to realise what kind of leadership they have," she said.
The premier, however, called upon the countrymen to be patient. "I say, have patience. We must have patience."
The people of the country will not accept non-Islamic activities in the name of Islam, she said.
The home minister said, "The fact is, Hefajat central leader Mamunul Haque was staying with a woman at a resort in Sonargaon. The woman has confessed while talking to a television [reporter] that she is not his wife.
"We will inform everyone after knowing more about this.
"After that incident, we saw the attack on the resort. I do not know why this attack took place. There were some foreigners there. Police and BGB went there and saved them."
There must have been a motive behind the violence, he said. "We are investigating."
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