Awami League MP Shamim Osman says Hifazat was not involved in May 5 Motijheel mayhem

In remarks that will likely raise a new controversy and probably embarrass the ruling party, AKM Shamim Osman, the Awami League MP from Narayanganj, has claimed that activists of the Hifazat-e Islam were not involved in the mayhem created in Dhaka four years ago.

In the presence of Hifazat leaders at a rally in Narayanganj on Friday, the lawmaker said that “he finds a lot in common with Hifazat.”

BNP and Jatiya Party leaders were also present at the rally, organised under the banner of what was given out as ‘Devout Muslims of Narayanganj’ to register protests against a questioning of the country’s independence and constitution.

“Jamaat people were involved in the incident, but Hifazat activists faced the charges,” Osman said about the May 5, 2013, incident at Motijheel Shapla Chattar in Dhaka.  

“Bara Hujur was not allowed to attend the Motijheel rally when the Jamaat intruded into the scene,” he said.

The Hifazat-e Islam laid a siege in Dhaka on the day in support of its 13-point demand, including abolishing a new government policy on women. The law enforcers, in pre-dawn multi-pronged attacks, forced the Hifazat activists out of the Motijheel area.

Not until Shamim Osman’s remarks on Friday did anyone, especially in the ruling party, say that the May 5 disturbances were not a Hifazat siege and that their activists had not been involved.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, in the days following the Hifazat-directed chaos, told parliament that the Motijheel mayhem had cost around Tk 240 million to 20 banks and two financial institutions in the capital’s business district.

Hifazat’s newly cosy relations with the government became evident at a meeting at Ganabhaban on Apr 11 when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared that the highest Qawmi madrasa degree Dawra-e-Hadith would be treated as being at par with the Masters degree at universities.

The PM also heeded the objection of the Islamic group to the ‘lady justice’ statue erected in front of the Supreme Court and assured the Hifazat leaders that she would talk to the chief justice about it.

In addition to eulogising the Hifazat, Osman demanded the trial of the killers of the young boy Twaki. Interestingly, Twaki’s father holds Osman responsible for his son’s death.