2021 Bangladesh anti-Modi protests explained

2021 Bangladesh anti-Modi protests
Date:19–29 March 2021
Place: Bangladesh
Causes:Arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangladesh during the country's celebrations of its 50th anniversary of its independence.
Goals:To cancel invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Result:Riots and protests suppressed[1]
Methods:Demonstrations, stone pelting, rioting
Side1:Decentralized leadership

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh
Islami Andolan Bangladesh
Side2:

Supported by

Leadfigures1: Junaid Babunagari
Mamunul Haque
Leadfigures2: Sheikh Hasina
Obaidul Quader
Casualties1:17 Dead, 500 Injured[2]

A series of rallies, demonstrations, and blockades opposing the visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were held in Bangladesh from 19 to 29 March, on the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan. Accusing Narendra Modi of committing crimes against humanity during the 2002 Gujarat riots, the protesters agitated against what they alleged were India's anti-Muslim policies and India's interference in Bangladeshi politics.[3] [4] Protesters demanded the cancellation of the Bangladesh government's invitation to the Indian Prime Minister. The otherwise peaceful protests turned violent when the protesters were attacked by the supporters of the ruling Awami League party along with a crackdown by the law-enforcement agencies, causing the deaths of several protesters throughout the last week of March 2021 in Bangladesh.[5] Initially launched by progressive student organizations including the Bangladesh Students Union, Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, and the Socialist Students' Front, the demonstrations were later joined by the Islamic group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.[6]

The deadly conflict chiefly began when supporters of Awami League tried to stop the protesters from waving their shoes as a sign of discontent to Modi at Baitul Mukarram mosque, Dhaka. This resulted in violent clashes from both sides. After the incident, the violence then spread to several key districts in the country, leading to damages on public properties.[7] [8] [9]

Amnesty International in a statement criticized the Bangladesh government for using excessive force on the protesters and urged the government to "respect the right to freedom of assembly and protect peaceful protesters", on 26 March 2021.[10] After the killings of its supporters on Friday, Hefazat called the strike protesting the killing of its activists by police, and the attack on them by supporters of the ruling party on Sunday, 28 March. "Police opened fire on our peaceful supporters," the group's organizing secretary Azizula Haque told a rally in Chittagong. "We will not let the blood of our brothers and sisters go in vain."[11] As of now, the clashes resulted in at least 14 people killed and many injured with Brahmanbaria alone accounted for 10 killed.[8]

Background

Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan on 26 March 1971, with the diplomatic and military support of India. The 50th instance of 26 March since then marked the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence and to celebrate the day Bangladesh government invited the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Soon after the Indian Prime Minister decided to join the celebration, Bangladeshi students and Islamists declared to resist him from visiting Bangladesh.[12]

Former Vice-president of Dhaka University Central Students' Union Nurul Haq Nur in a rally in front of the Press Club on 12 March 2021, terming Narendra Modi the "Butcher of Gujrat", said that he is unwelcomed in Bangladesh.[13] [14] On the other hand, the Police chief of Bangladesh declared restrictions on movement during the visit of foreign guests including the Indian Premier on March 15, 2021. He also requested the political parties not to hold programs during the visit of Narendra Modi.[15]

On 18 March 2021, progressive students' organizations declared a series of protests against the visit of Narendra Modi to Bangladesh including rally, demonstration, effigy burning, and torch-march and on the same day, leaders of the Awami League government-backed students' wing Bangladesh Chhatra League, known for hooliganism and terrorism,[16] [17] declared to deal the protesters and threatened to 'peel off the skin' whoever protests.[18]

Timeline of protest

The first demonstration against the visit of Narendra Modi was held on March 19, 2021, and it has been going on. Bangladesh Police, as well as ruling party-backed organizations Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Bangladesh Awami Swechasebak League, have swopped on the protesters triggering violence, in retaliation from the protesters.[10]

19 March

23 March

26 March

27 March

28 March

29 March

Deaths

On 28 March, after the strike, Hefazat leaders claimed 17 people died across the country, with around 500 people receiving injuries during the protests, in a press conference. According to their claim 12 people died in Brahmanbaria, 4 at Hathazari in Chittagong and one at Signboard area in Narayanganj.[42] [43] Local news outlets, however, have reported 14 death counts as of March 28, 2021.[27] [28] [44]

Arrests

During and after the protests, opposition activists were detained and kept in secret detentions. According to the activists they were tortured in custody. Shakil Uzzaman and Mina Al Mamun, the joint-convenors of Bangladesh Chatra Odhikar Parishad, were picked up in suspicious circumstances from the capital Dhaka's Savar area on March 26. On the next day, the joint convenor of Bangladesh Jubo Odhikar Parishad, Nadim Hasan, was abducted from Lalbag area by people who identified themselves as police.[45] Two leaders of the same organization were picked up respectively from Rajshahi and Sylhet reportedly by law enforcers and remained untraceable, on March 28.[46] After more than 24 hours of detention at unknown places, Nadim Hasan, Shakil Uzzaman, Mina Al Mamun, and Md Mazharul Islam were placed in court and charged with violence. More than 100 Islamists were arrested by Bangladesh police during 12 April - 19 April over alleged participation in the violence.[47] [48]

Reaction

To stop the spread of news and cut off communication across the country, the government of Bangladesh blocked Facebook on March 26, from the afternoon. Facebook in a statement claimed that "We are aware that our services have been restricted in Bangladesh." "We’re working to understand more and hope to have full access restored as soon as possible," they added.[49]

International rights group Amnesty International termed the Bangladesh government response to the protest as "Bloody Crackdown" and said, "The Bangladeshi authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and protect peaceful protestors."[10]

Twenty eminent citizens of Bangladesh demanded punishment for those responsible for attacking anti-Modi protesters and carrying out violence in Chattogram's Hathazari, in a joint statement. Among the M Hafizuddin Khan, Ali Imam Majumder, Professor Anu Muhammad, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Sara Hossain, CR Abrar, Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, Asif Nazrul, Shahidul Alam, Hasnat Quaiyum, Nur Khan Liton, Shireen Huq, Jakir Hossain, Perween Hasan, Lubna Marium, Sharmeen Murshid, Firdous Azim, Naila Zaman Khan and Rahnuma Ahmed.[50]

Bangladesh's main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party protested the killing of people on the country's Independence Day for protesting the visit of a foreign national. They declared a countrywide demonstration on March 29 and March 30.[51]

Prominent Hefajat leader Abdual Awal resigned, the decision was said to have been taken due to difference in opinion with other Hefajat leaders during the protests.[52]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Understanding Bangladesh's most potent religious opposition . 5 April 2021 . The Interpreter.
  2. News: 28 March 2021 . 17 killed, 500 injured in anti-Modi protests: Hefazat . New Age . 30 March 2021.
  3. News: Bangladesh deploys border guards after deadly anti-Modi protests . 30 March 2021 . Al Jazeera . YouTube . March 27, 2021 . en.
  4. News: Violent protests spread in Bangladesh after Modi visit . 29 March 2021 . www.aljazeera.com . Al Jazeera . en.
  5. News: Bangladesh violence spreads after Modi's visit, attacks on Hindu temples, train . 5 April 2021 . Reuters . en.
  6. News: Afp. 2021-03-26. 4 dead as anti-Modi protests turn violent in Bangladesh. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-03-27. 0971-751X.
  7. Web site: Four killed in Bangladesh during protests against Modi visit. 2021-03-28. www.aljazeera.com. en.
  8. Web site: 2021-03-28. Three killed in Hefazat mayhem during hartal. 2021-03-28. Dhaka Tribune.
  9. Web site: Desk. NH Web. 2021-03-26. Bangladesh: 4 killed in Chittagong as radicals protest Modi visit, mosque area in Dhaka turns battleground. 2021-03-28. National Herald. en.
  10. News: Bangladesh: Authorities must respect right to peaceful protest following bloody crackdowns. Amnesty International . 27 March 2021.
  11. News: Ghoshal. Ruma Paul, Devjyot. 2021-03-28. Five killed, dozens injured in anti-Modi protests in Bangladesh. en. Reuters. 2021-03-28.
  12. News: Four killed in Bangladesh during protests against Modi visit. Al Jazeera. 27 March 2021.
  13. News: Modi is not welcome in Dhaka: Rally. New Age (Bangladesh) . 27 March 2021.
  14. News: Why Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh led to 12 deaths. BBC World . 31 March 2021.
  15. News: Restrict movement during the 10-day state programme: IGP requests city-dwellers . The Daily Star . 27 March 2021.
  16. News: The brand of shame that is Chhatra League . Dhaka Tribune . 11 October 2019.
  17. News: Awami League / Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) . Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium . subscription . 16 May 2019.
  18. News: DU BCL president threatens to 'peel off the skin' of anti-Modi protesters on campus. The Daily Star . 27 March 2021.
  19. News: 'Go back Modi': Muslims, students protest Indian PM's visit to Bangladesh . Dawn. 27 March 2021.
  20. News: 2021-03-26 . Police fire tear gas at anti-Modi protesters in Dhaka . The Hindu . 2023-08-30.
  21. News: BCL members snatch away Modi's effigy from SFB men . New Age (Bangladesh). 27 March 2021.
  22. News: 20 injured as Bangladesh Chhatra League, leftist students clash over Modi's visit . bdnews24.com . 27 March 2021.
  23. News: 20 injured as Bangladesh Chhatra League, leftist students clash over Modi's visit . New Age (Bangladesh). 27 March 2021.
  24. News: Clashes break out in Baitul Mukarram area . Prothom Alo. 27 March 2021.
  25. News: Clash at Baitul Mukarram: 148 injured get treatment at DMCH . The Daily Star. 27 March 2021.
  26. News: Four dead after Hefazat-police clash in Hathazari . The Daily Star. 27 March 2021.
  27. News: 5 killed in Ctg, B'baria clashes. The Daily Star . 27 March 2021.
  28. News: 5 shot dead during clashes in Brahmanbaria. The Daily Star . 27 March 2021.
  29. Web site: Six cops injured as anti-Modi protesters attack police station in Bangladesh. 2021-03-27. m.bdnews24.com.
  30. Web site: 26 policemen injured in violence during PM Modi's Bangladesh visit. 2021-03-28. NORTHEAST NOW. 28 March 2021 . en-US.
  31. Web site: 2021-03-28. Highway blockade, torching buses, clashes and processions mark Hefajat hartal. 2021-03-28. The Daily Star. en.
  32. Web site: 2021-03-28. Bangladesh violence spreads after PM Modi visit, attacks on Hindu temples, train. 2021-03-28. Hindustan Times. en.
  33. Web site: 2021-03-29. Hefazat mayhem annihilates memory of maestro Alauddin in Brahmanbaria. 2021-04-09. Dhaka Tribune.
  34. Web site: 2021-04-01. Mayhem in Brahmanbaria: Hefajat men did it divided in 7 groups. 2021-04-09. The Daily Star. en.
  35. Web site: 2021-03-30. Trail of destruction: Hefajat mayhem in Brahmanbaria. 2021-04-09. The Daily Star. en.
  36. Web site: 2021-04-03. Hefajat mayhem: Brahmanbaria municipality suspends all activities. 2021-04-09. The Daily Star. en.
  37. News: 2 killed in Hefajat-police clash in Brahmanbaria's Sarail. The Daily Star . 28 March 2021.
  38. News: Bangladesh violence spreads after Modi visit, attacks on Hindu temples, train. Reuters. 2021-03-30.
  39. Web site: 2021-03-28. Bangladesh violence spreads after PM Modi visit, attacks on Hindu temples, train. 2021-03-30. Hindustan Times. en.
  40. Web site: Bangladesh violence spreads after PM Modi visit, attacks on Hindu temples, train. 2021-03-30. India Today. 28 March 2021 . en.
  41. Web site: Facebook, messenger up and running again since 7:25pm. 29 March 2021.
  42. News: Hartal not extended, Hefazat to stage protest on 2 April. The Business Standard . 28 March 2021.
  43. News: 17 killed, 500 injured in anti-Modi protests: Hefazat. New Age (Bangladesh) . 28 March 2021.
  44. News: Hefajat fury rages on. . 28 March 2021.
  45. News: Bangladesh authorities must conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, and independent investigations into the death of protesters and respect people's right to peaceful assembly. . 31 March 2021.
  46. News: 2 Chhatra Odhikar Parishad leaders reportedly go missing. The Business Standard . 28 March 2021.
  47. Web site: Bangladesh cracks down on Islamist group after anti-Modi protests.
  48. Web site: Bangladesh Arrests Islamist Hardliners over Protests Against PM Modi.
  49. News: Facebook services down in Bangladesh amid protests against Modi visit. Reuters . 27 March 2021.
  50. News: Punish those responsible. The Daily . 27 March 2021.
  51. News: BNP to hold countrywide demo on March 29, 30. New Age (Bangladesh) . 27 March 2021.
  52. Web site: Hefajat leader Abdul Awal tenders resignation, party says. 30 March 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2021 Bangladesh anti-Modi protests".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.