Hefazat-e-Islam, which is accused of mobilising its cadres to attack Hindu households in Sunamganj, has demanded the withdrawal of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to join the celebration of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
The organization also denied the allegations, made by news outlets, of their involvement in the attack on Hindu homes at Noagaon village in Sunamganj’s Shalla upazila and demanded that the real offenders should be immediately arrested and brought under justice.
Junaid Al Habib and Mamunul Haque, president and secretary of Hefazat-e-Islam’s’s Dhaka metropolitan unit, pressed the demands during a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the Segunbagicha area of Dhaka on Monday.
Modi is due to arrive in Dhaka on March 26, which Bangladesh celebrates as its Independence Day. When asked what they will do if Modi’s invitation is not withdrawn, Hefazat-e-Islam’s Central Joint-Secretary General Mamunul Haque said they will go for peaceful protest and not create any violence.
Meanwhile, according to several news outlets, thousands of Hefazat-e-Islam supporters attacked a Hindu village in Shalla upazila of Sunamganj on March 17.
Many local Hindus fled their homes to save themselves. Grabbing this opportunity, the followers of Hefazat-e-Islam entered the village, ransacked and looted many houses.