Hazari Lane violence explained

Hazari Lane violence
Date:5 November 2024
Place:Hazari Lane, Chittagong, Bangladesh
Causes:Anti-ISKCON Facebook post
Methods:Beating, vandalism, brick pelting, acid throwing
Side1:Hindu protesters:
  • ISKCON (alleged; denied by the organisation)
Side2:Bangladesh Police
Bangladesh Army
Injuries:
  • 12 (police and army)
  • Unknown number of Hindu protesters
Arrests:49

In November 2024, an incident in Hazari Lane, Chittagong, Bangladesh, was triggered by a Facebook post describing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as a "terrorist organisation". The post reportedly caused discontent among ISKCON members. Subsequently, a mob, including members associated with ISKCON, attacked a Muslim individual who shared the post and attempted to burn down his shop in the vicinity.[1]

Joint forces of Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Army intervened to disperse the crowd and conducted searches of local properties in the area. According to statement from the joint forces, they were reportedly attacked by individuals in the crowd, who threw acid and other objects at them during the incident, resulting in the injuries to several personnel. In connection with the incident, Chattogram Metropolitan Police detained 80 individuals and 49 people were shown arrested after verification.[2] [3]

Background

Chittagong, similar to other cities in Bangladesh, has a predominantly Muslim population, with 87.96% identifying as Muslim and 10.30% as Hindu, according to the 2022 Bangladeshi census. Hazari Lane, the location of the incident, is a historically Hindu-majority area and hosts approximately 150 Hindu jewellery traders at Mia Shopping Center.

In late October 2024, the Hindu community held a rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong to address several grievances following violence against Hindus in the aftermath of the Student–People's uprising. Their eight-point demands included prosecuting perpetrators of recent attacks against minorities, providing compensation to affected individuals, and enacting laws to protect minority communities.[4] These concerns were echoed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during his visit to Bangladesh in October 2024.[5] Around the same time, Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Daily Amar Desh, delivered a speech in Dhaka that was critical of ISKCON. He stated:

The General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, refuted the allegations, asserting that ISKCON is a non-political and religious international organisation. Meanwhile, some individuals from the local Muslim community were observed sharing posts on social media that were critical of ISKCON. Among these was a post shared by a Muslim businessman from Hazari Lane.[6] [7] [8]

Incident

Osman Ali, a Muslim businessman, made a Facebook post describing ISKCON as a "terrorist organisation," which triggered anger and tension among local ISKCON-affiliated Hindus in Hazari Lane. In response, a group of Hindus gathered outside Mia Shopping Center, demanding an apology from the individual responsible for the post. On the evening of 5 November, tensions escalated, leading to prolonged unrest that eventually resulted in clashes. The situation intensified when protesters surrounded the shop of the individual who made the post, attacked the establishment, and continued their demonstration outside.[9] [10]

A joint team of police and army personnel intervened to rescue the individual who had posted on Facebook and escorted him to a police station. During the operation, the crowd turned on and attempted to obstruct the rescue by throwing bricks at the joint forces, while chanting "Jai Shree Ram" slogan.[11] In response, the forces fired several blanks into the air to disperse the crowd. At a press conference held on 6 November, joint forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Ferdous Ahmed reported that bricks and acid, typically used in jewellery work, were thrown at the personnel, resulting in injuries to five army officers and seven police officers.[12] [13] Osman's shop was destroyed, and neighboring businesses were also damaged.[14] In the aftermath, 82 individuals were arrested, with 49 facing formal charges. Osman Ali was also detained under blasphemy laws.[11]

Around 8:30 p.m. that night, the joint forces re-entered Hazari Lane and beat the those who participated in the violence. Many Hindu homes were raided. The joint forces broke or disabled all CCTV cameras in the jewellery shops of the Hindu community and shut down all the shops.[15] [16]

Regarding the incident, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, the General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, told Deutsche Welle Bangla: Kajol Banik, the Joint Secretary of the Chittagong Jewellery Association, said:

On 8 November, the police force, accompanied by a magistrate, went to Hazari Lane and opened the shuttered shops. The Hindu shopkeepers complained that the hard disk of the shops' CCTV was taken away, and the bond was alleged taken with the statement that "there was no damage to the shop".[17]

Aftermath

On 8 November, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, an Islamist advocacy group,[18] [19] organised a rally in the wake of the Hazari Lane incident at the Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque square in Chittagong. After the Friday prayer, the speakers in the rally organised in the mosque premises demanded the ban of ISKCON in Bangladesh. The rally condemned the attack on the shop of businessman Osman Ali in Hazari Lane, and the attack and acid throwing on the joint forces' personnel.[20] Speakers of Hefazet-e-Islam referred to ISKCON as an "anti-Hindu militant organisation" in this rally. Hefazat leader Quamrul Islam Quasemi said in that rally:[21] Sayem Ullah, the Central Assistant Publicity Secretary of Hefazat-e-Islam said:[20] He also alleged that ISKCON has been attacking Muslims and administrative officials after the fall of AL-led government on 5 August.[20]

Reactions

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, condemned the alleged attack on members of the Hindu community in Chittagong and called on the interim government to ensure the safety of the country's Hindu community.[22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 5 November 2024 . Ctg shop vandalised over Facebook post on Iskcon . 8 November 2024 . . en.
  2. News: থমথমে চট্টগ্রামের হাজারী গলি . Samakal . 2024-11-28.
  3. News: 6 November 2024 . 80 detained over attack on joint forces in Ctg's Hazari Lane . 9 November 2024 . . en.
  4. News: 26 October 2024 . Hindus in Bangladesh stage major rally in Chittagong demanding minority rights . 9 November 2024 . . en.
  5. Web site: 30 October 2024 . UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk concludes official visit to Bangladesh . 9 November 2024 . Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  6. News: Kumari . Shweta . As crisis deepens, Bangladeshi journalist Mahmudur Rahman demands ban on ISKCON, sparks outrage (WATCH) . 9 November 2024 . Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd . en.
  7. News: 2 November 2024 . Iskcon demands apology from Mahmudur Rahman in 7 days . 9 November 2024 . Dhaka Tribune.
  8. News: 2 November 2024 . ISKCON seeks apology from Mahmudur Rahman . 9 November 2024 . . en.
  9. News: 6 November 2024 . Clashes erupt in Bangladesh as Hindu community protests Facebook post on ISKCON . 9 November 2024 . en.
  10. News: bn:ইসকন নিয়ে পোস্ট, এরপর কী ঘটেছে চট্টগ্রামের হাজারী গলিতে . Post about ISKCON, what happened next in Chittagong's Hazari Goli. . 9 November 2024 . BBC Bangla . 6 November 2024 . bn . রাতে ওই এলাকায় যৌথবাহিনীর অভিযানের সময় ব্যাপক লাঠিচার্জ ও মারধরের ছবি সামাজিক মাধ্যমে ছড়িয়ে পড়েছে। এ ঘটনাকে কেন্দ্র করে অভিযানের সময় হিন্দু সম্প্রদায়ের লোকজনের ওপর নিপীড়নের অভিযোগ উঠেছে।....পরে ফেসবুকে পোস্ট দেয়া ব্যক্তিকে হিন্দু সম্প্রদায়ের মানুষ সেখানেই দোকানের ভেতরে ঘিরে ফেলে। এ সময় সেই দোকানে হামলার ঘটনা ঘটে।....মি. রহমান এক অনুষ্ঠানে ‘ইসকনকে সাম্প্রদায়িক ও ভারতীয় গোয়েন্দা সংস্থা র-এর’ সংগঠন হিসেবে মন্তব্য করেছিলেন।...যৌথবাহিনী হাজারী গলিতে ঢুকে যাকে পেয়েছে তাকেই মেরেছে। বাসা-বাড়িতে হামলা করা হয়েছে। পরে সব দোকান বন্ধ করে দেয়া হয়েছে।...দুর্বৃত্তরা এ সময় যৌথবাহিনীর ওপর অতর্কিতভাবে জুয়েলারির কাজে ব্যবহৃত এসিড হামলা চালায় এবং ভারী ইট পাটকেলসহ ভাঙা কাঁচের বোতল ছুড়তে শুরু করে,... . Pictures of massive lathi charge and beatings during the operation of joint forces in the area at night have spread on social media. There have been allegations of persecution of the Hindu community during the operation based on this incident.... Later, the person who posted on Facebook was surrounded by the peoples of the Hindu community inside the shop. At that time, the shop was attacked.... Mr. Rahman in an event commented that "ISKCON is communal and a organization of the Indian intelligence agency RAW.... the joint forces entered Hazari Gully and beat up whoever they found. Houses were attacked. Later, all the shops were closed.... The miscreants then suddenly attacked the joint forces with acid used in Jewellery and started hurling broken glass bottles along with bricks,... -->. 7 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241107092028/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cp8x6yyg7e4o . live .
  11. Web site: 2024-11-06 . ISKCON involved in attack on joint forces in Ctg incident: Police . 2024-11-26 . The Business Standard . en.
  12. News: 6 November 2024 . Clash erupts over Facebook post in Chattogram, 7 cops injured . 8 November 2024 . . .
  13. News: Dey . Sameer Kumar . bn:হাজারী গলির ঘটনায় ৪৯ ‘ইসকন-অনুসারী' গ্রেপ্তার, আসামি ৬০০ . 49 "ISKCON-followers" arrested in Hazari Goli incident, 600 accused . 9 November 2024 . . 7 November 2024 . . bn . Osman Ali, a trader, shared another person's post on Facebook about ISKCON. In response, angry people from the Hindu community surrounded his shop at Mia Shopping Center at Hazari Goli on Tuesday. When the joint forces went to control the situation, the angry people clashed with them. At least 12 members of the army and police were injured.... It is not known how many people were injured due to the impact of the baton, although there have been allegations of widespread caning against the law and order forces.... Teribazar area of Kotwali police station of Chittagong city is Hindu dominated... During the operation of the joint forces in the area, pictures of widespread lathicharge and beatings were spread on social media. Allegations of persecution of the Hindu community have been raised based on this incident. In particular, the destruction of CCTV cameras by members of the joint forces during the operation has raised questions.... Spokesperson of the joint force Lt. Colonel Ferdous Ahmed said in a press conference on Wednesday, "the joint forces were attacked with acid used in [making] jewellery and glass bottles were thrown along with bricks and stones. Five army personnel and seven police personnel were injured.... General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari told Deutsche Welle, "ISCON has no involvement with any untoward incident including the attack and vandalism that took place in Hazari Goli."... Chittagong Jewelery Association Joint Secretary Kajal Banik told Deutsche Welle, "On Tuesday night, joint forces entered Hazari Goli and beat up whoever they found. Beaten mercilessly. Houses were attacked. Later all shops were sealed. All the traders in the area are Hindus. If someone working there attacks a [Hindu] religious organization, won't there be anger among the Hindus? There was a protest out of anger. People have been attacked indiscriminately there....Tears will come to anyone's eyes if they see the way entering the house, breaking down the gate and beaten. Is it possible to live like this?"--->.
  14. Web site: 2024-11-26 . Chattogram shop vandalised over Facebook post on ISKCON . 2024-11-26 . The Business Standard . en.
  15. News: Sayantani . 7 November 2024 . Bangladesh security forces target Hindus in Chittagong, Taslima Nasreen shares shocking video . 8 November 2024 . .
  16. News: 7 November 2024 . Bangladeshi forces crack down on Hindus in Chittagong after post sparks unrest . 9 November 2024 . . en.
  17. News: 8 November 2024 . bn:চট্টগ্রামে নির্যাতনে নিশানা সংখ্যালঘুরা, উদ্বেগ জানাল দিল্লি . Minorities targeted for torture in Chittagong, Delhi expressed concern . 8 November 2024 . Anandabazar Patrika . bn . The police accompanied by a magistrate went to Hazari Gali and broke the seals on the doors of the shops. Allegedly, the hard disk of the shop's CCTV was removed [from the system] and taken away. A bond is also taken on the statement that "no damage has been done to the shop"....Allegations have been made that they were blindfolded and beaten mercilessly by the soldiers in custody. All the 53 people who appeared in the court had bruises all over their bodies. --->. ABP.
  18. 16 March 2015. Civil & Political Rights In Bangladesh. Asian Centre for Human Rights. 1. 37. 8 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309133627/http://www.achrweb.org/reports/bangla/CCPR-Bangladesh2015-02.pdf. 9 March 2016. dead.
  19. News: Hifazat chief implementing Jamaat agenda. 8 November 2024. bdnews24.com. 4 April 2013. 7 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130407024256/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/04/04/allama-shafi-was-a-collaborator1. live.
  20. News: Hefazat calls for banning Iskcon terming it as 'anti-Hindu militant group' . 8 November 2024 . . 8 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241108233613/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/hefazat-calls-banning-iskcon-terming-it-anti-hindu-militant-group-988186 . live .
  21. Web site: ইসকনকে নিষিদ্ধের দাবি তুললো হেফাজত. Ittefaq. 9 November 2024.
  22. News: India Urges Bangladesh To Take Strong Measures To Ensure Safety Of Hindus . 9 November 2024 . . 8 November 2024 .
  23. News: India asks Bangladesh to take action against 'extremist elements' to ensure safety of Hindus . 9 November 2024 . . 8 November 2024 . en .
  24. News: India urges Bangladesh to take action against extremists, ensure safety of Hindus in Chittogong . 9 November 2024 . . 7 November 2024 . New Delhi ".
  25. News: 2024-11-07 . 'We Urge Bangladesh To Take Action Against Extremist Elements': India After Attack On Hindus In . 2024-11-09 . news.abplive.com . en.
  26. News: 2024-11-07 . India calls on Bangladesh to bolster security after Hindus attacked in Chittagong . 2024-11-09 . India Today . en.

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