Case against Mufti Fayzal Karim in Cumilla, debate over plaintiff’s identity

A Cumilla metropolitan unit Jubo Dal leader claims that no one with the name of the plaintiff is associated with the organisation

A case has been filed in Cumilla against Islami Andolan Bangladesh's senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim for allegedly spreading defamatory and hateful statements on social media about Cumilla-6 MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury.

Jalal Ahmed Khokon Talukder filed the case with the Sadar Dakshin Model Police Station on Saturday, said its chief Rakibul Islam.

Apart from Fayzul, the case also names Kader Miyaji, a resident of Sadar Dakshin, and a few unidentified suspects.

Although the plaintiff Khokon claims to be the senior joint convener of Ward 26 of the Cumilla Metropolitan Jubo Dal, the organisation claims he is not a member of the BNP’s youth affiliate at any level.

Cumilla Metropolitan Jubo Dal Member Secretary Roman Hasan said, Jalal is not a Jubo Dal member, but he was previously involved in Jubo League politics.

According to the case dossier, on Jun 19, insults, a number of satirical and defamatory statements were circulated regarding Cumilla-6 MP Monirul through a number of Facebook accounts and YouTube channels.

The complaint states that in a YouTube video, satirical comments were made about the MP's beard, hat and clothes.

In addition, a post was made using the MP's photo from a Facebook account, calling him a “secret Awami League leader” and “Islamophobic”.

The complaint further states that an attempt is being made to tarnish the MP's political, social and personal reputation by spreading false, misleading and provocative statements, prompting the plaintiff to file the case.

Meanwhile, Islami Andolan Bangladesh has protested this case.

In a post on the party's official Facebook page, the party's central Publicity Secretary Sheikh Fazlul Karim Maruf described the case as a "fascist conspiracy" and said the plaintiff in the case was associated with the Jubo League.

In this regard, Cumilla Metropolitan Islami Andolan Bangladesh President MM Bilal Hossain said, "We believe that the case filed against Mufti Fayzul Karim is politically motivated. We will deal with the matter legally."

Regarding the case, plaintiff Jalal claimed to reporters that he is an activist and joint convener of the Jubo Dal and had filed the case because the BNP MP and its leader were defamed.

Police officer Rakibul said the case has been accepted following instructions from higher authorities and an inquiry is underway.