The leaders of the radical Islamist platform Hefazat-e-Islami Bangladesh said yesterday that neither Anas Madani, the son of their chief Shah Ahmed Shafi, nor any other leaders have been engaged in any negotiation with the government.
“A section of print and electronic media have been spreading baseless propaganda saying that Hefazat leaders have been negotiating with the government,” claimed a statement issued by the Hathazari madrasa-based group.
It added that those who had been engaged in such activities were actually implementing the agenda of the atheists.
“This is a conspiracy to create confusion among the Hefazat leaders and activists by raising different allegations against Anas, who is also the publicity affairs secretary of the organisation,” said the statement.
High officials of the government have met Shafi on different occasions with a commitment to implement the 13-point demands, Hefazat claimed, adding, “This does not mean that any negotiation is taking place, nor does it mean that any financial assistance has been accepted from the government.”
Formed in early 2010, Hefazat resurfaced in February last year against the “atheist youths” who had been staging demonstrations at Shahbagh demanding the death penalty for all war criminals and a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami.
Hefazat then gave a 13-point demand that included death for “atheists,” formulation of an anti-blasphemy law, a ban on the mingling of men and women and a removal of sculptures.
Key posts of the central Dhaka unit and other committees of Hefazat, which claims to be a non-political group, are held by leaders of the Islamist parties under the BNP-led 18-party alliance.
The statement was signed by seven top leaders of Hefazat including its Secretary General Junaid Babunagari.
Hefazat also claimed that the Hathazari Madrasa authorities have leased a railway pond and a piece of agricultural land, but did not grab it.
“The Hathazari Madrasa authorities applied for the lease of the railway land as per the legal procedures and the railway authorities have leased it out. However, it has not been handed over yet,” they said.
The statement said: “The madrasa authorities have just encircled the land by putting up pillars and placing a signboard.”
Source: UNBConnect