Hefazat-e-Islam on Monday refrained from marching towards the office of the Indian assistant high commissioner in Chattogram, despite earlier announcement.
Instead, the organisation concluded its long march programme by submitting a memorandum to the Indian embassy through the Chattogram deputy commissioner Farida Khanam around 2:00pm.听
Earlier, on Friday, Hefazat-e-Islam鈥檚 joint secretary general, Mufti Harun Izhar, announced the long march towards the Indian assistant high commission office.听
On Monday, leaders and activists began gathering at the Jamiatul Falah Mosque premises in the city鈥檚 WASA area from 10:30am.
Hefazat鈥檚 Chattogram city unit organised the rally where the participants were informed that the march had been postponed at the request of the government and law enforcement agencies.听
However, a brief procession started from the Jamiatul Falah Mosque and ended at Kazir Dewri intersection. From there, a 10-member delegation, led by Mufti Harun Izhar, proceeded to the DC鈥檚 office to hand over the memorandum.听
In the memorandum, Hefazat-e-Islam placed four demands to the Indian embassy such as halting false propaganda in Indian media about Bangladesh; ensuring responsible response by Indian political leaders; stopping interference by Indian intelligence in Bangladesh; strengthening bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh.听
During the rally, Mufti Harun Izahr emphasized Hefazat-e-Islam鈥檚 role in rebuilding Bangladesh, saying, 鈥榃e are here today not out of emotion but with a sense of conscience. Hefazat鈥檚 struggle is for the reconstruction of Bangladesh. There can be no true progress in this country without Hefazat. To those in power, I ask, why do you speak only of fascism without addressing the Indian hegemony that enables it?鈥櫶�
He further claimed that, 鈥楥ertain individuals, including Chimmoy, are conspiring with Indian funding to create unrest. These actions are part of a larger, well-planned effort.鈥�
Referring to the intelligence agency requests to refrain from marching to the assistant high commissioner office, Izahr said, 鈥榃hen I announced the submission of a memorandum, some intelligence agencies became unusually active. Why this fear of India? They urged us to avoid a march, but our members are disciplined and educated. We pledged to submit our demands peacefully.鈥櫶�
Izahr also issued a warning to the Indian high commission, 鈥楾ell your government to end all anti-Bangladesh activities and rein in your politicians. Intelligence forces in India have even planned military actions against us. Bangladesh will not tolerate new agents or brokers acting in India鈥檚 interests. If India seeks peace, it must engage with us as friends.鈥櫶�
The rally, chaired by Hefazat-e-Islam鈥檚 Nayeb Ameer Ayub Babunagari, was also addressed by joint secretaries general Zafar Ahmed, Nasir Monir, and Mir Idris.
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