Desk Report: Leaders of Khelafat Majlis expressed deep concern over recent violence against minority Muslims in India during the organization’s central executive meeting on Tuesday evening.
The leaders said post-assembly election violence in several Indian states has reached alarming levels, with a fresh surge in attacks by Hindu extremists on minority Muslims. They noted that in the bordering states of West Bengal and Assam in particular, Muslims are being brutally targeted and labeled as “Bangladeshi.” Mosques, homes, and businesses are being attacked and vandalized, and many people have been physically assaulted, leaving numerous casualties.
In Assam, many Muslim families have fled their homes and are living in inhumane conditions in shelter camps, the statement said. The violence has also extended to Hindu activists of political parties opposed to the BJP.
Khelafat Majlis accused India’s ruling BJP, both at the central and state levels, of showing “irresponsibility” in failing to curb the violence. The group warned that the incidents are raising fears of “push-ins” along the Bangladesh border.
“We strongly condemn these barbaric attacks by Hindu extremists. We demand an immediate end to extremist attacks on minority Muslims and call on India to ensure the safety of its minority communities,” the meeting resolution stated. The leaders also urged the Bangladesh government to formally convey its anger and concern to India over the incidents.
Domestic Concerns Raised: The executive body also voiced concern over rising social decay in Bangladesh, including drug abuse, obscenity, extramarital relations, and teen gang activity. It called for immediate government action to strengthen religious education and healthy culture in the education system, revive family and social values, and increase the activity of law enforcement agencies.
The leaders demanded urgent support for farmers affected by sudden waterlogging in the haor regions and stressed the need for improved, sustainable management to ensure food and energy security. They also called for completion of embankment construction and repair, as well as canal excavation and restoration, in flood-prone areas such as Feni, Sylhet, and Rangpur during the current season.
Political Demands: On constitutional reform, the meeting said the government must be sincere in amending the constitution in line with the referendum verdict. Addressing the BNP, the statement said: “BNP must not forget that it was able to form a government today because of the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs and injured in the July mass uprising. Any deviation will mark them as political traitors and promise-breakers before the people.”
Khelafat Majlis demanded that tribunals and courts be strengthened with more manpower to expedite investigations and trials of all killings, including the July massacre. It also urged the government to accelerate efforts to bring fugitive convicts, including Sheikh Hasina, back to the country and execute court verdicts.
Meeting Details: The monthly central executive meeting was held at 7:00 PM Tuesday at the central office in Paltan. It was chaired by Ameer-e-Majlis Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and conducted by Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Quader.
Present were Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Sakhawat Hossain, Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi, Professor Sirajul Haque, Maulana Sayyed Ferdous Bin Ishaq; Joint Secretaries General Advocate Jahangir Hossain and Professor Abdul Jalil; Organizing Secretary Advocate Mizanur Rahman, Muhaddis Sheikh Muhammad Salahuddin; Training Secretary Zahirul Islam; Publicity Secretary Engineer Abdul Hafiz Khasru; Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rifat Hossain Malik; Law Affairs Secretary Advocate Shaikhul Islam; Youth Affairs Secretary Tawhidul Islam Tuhin; Khandaker Shahabuddin Ahmad, Mufti Abdul Haque Amini, Maulana Saifuddin Ahmad Khandaker, Alhaj Nur Hossain, Maulana Faruk Ahmad Bhuiyan, Maulana Nazrul Islam Mazhari, Abul Hossain, Amir Ali Hawlader, among others.
