Minority alliance alarmed by threats after Mufti Mohibullah incident

Democratic political parties, civil society and progressive forces are showing no active role in the current political situation, minority alliance says

The Minority Unity Alliance has expressed grave concern over a wave of threats and inflammatory rhetoric targeting Bangladesh’s Hindu community and the international religious group ISKCON, following the controversy surrounding Mufti Mohammad Mohibullah Miaji of Gazipur.

Police said on Tuesday that Mohibullah, Imam of the BTCL Colony Jame Mosque in Tongi, was not abducted as alleged but had orchestrated his own disappearance before being found tied to a tree and half-naked near Panchagarh’s Halipad Bazar.

Mohibullah himself had filed an abduction case with Tongi East Police on Oct 24, alleging he had been forcibly taken to Panchagarh.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police told reporters their investigation found no evidence of kidnapping.

“He went to Panchagarh of his own accord and staged the incident,” police said.

The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council said in a statement Tuesday night that after the incident, some extremist groups publicly blamed ISKCON and issued death threats while calling for the international organisation’s ban.

“Certain communal quarters have continued organised propaganda nationwide, targeting especially the Hindu community with threats to kill and destroy temples and idols,” the statement read. “This has created deep fear and anxiety among religious minorities.”

The unity council and the Minority Unity Alliance condemned what they called the authorities’ “mysterious silence” in the face of these threats.

“Even though these heinous communal acts are happening under the very nose of the government and administration, they remain silent and often deny such incidents,” the alliance said.

It added, “In the current political climate, democratic political parties, civil society and progressive forces are not playing an active role.”

The alliance urged the government to immediately stop violence and propaganda against religious minorities -- particularly Hindus -- and to act against the spread of false allegations involving ISKCON.

It also called on democratic, secular and humanitarian citizens, journalists and political leaders nationwide to stand united against communal misinformation and incitement.