Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) described Hafazat-e-Islam central joint-secretary general Mamunul Hoque as an extremist communal leader and demanded his exemplary punishment for spreading provocative speech that led to the attack of a Hindu village in Shalla Upazila.
In a statement signed by DUTA President, Prof. Rahmat Ullah and General Secretary Prof. Nizamul Huque Buiyan, on Saturday protested the incident and expressed resentment over the attack of the Hindu village in Shalla Upazila. They demanded exemplary punishment to instigators for spreading the provocative speech and committing the heinous act.
Terming Mamunul Hoque as an extremist communal leader the statement said “The followers of Mamunul Hoque are involved in vandalism and looting of houses of the Hindu community members. The attackers were inspired by Mamunul’s provocative speech delivered at a Hefajat-e-Islam meeting held on 15 March in Dirai area of Sunamgonj. Rumors spread that a young man named Juman Das of Naigaon in Shalla had posted Mamunul Haque's statement on the night of the incident through a Facebook post. On that night, Mamunul Haque's followers carried out an attack on Juman Das and his family. It may be recalled that Jumon Das's Facebook was hacked and systematically spread religious provocations, according to his family. Such religious provocations were also accused of even before the communal attacks in Ramu, and Nasirnagar.”
Mentioning it as an anti-state crime, the statement also said, “ While state guests are in Bangladesh to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of independence, Mamunul’s and his followers are trying to uphold Bangladesh as a communal and extremist country through vandalizing and looting Hindu’s village.”
They also said that, “The statue of the Father of the Nation was recently vandalized at the instigation of the Mamunuls. In continuation to that, some of them have also shown the courage of taking a stand against the national anthem. Recently in a discussion, Hefajat-e-Islam leader Faisalullah called for re-composing the national anthem which is directly against the spirit of liberation war and the Constitution. They are also creating anarchy in the country through the misuse of Islam.”
The Dhaka University Teachers Association demanded security to the villagers, compensation for the victim families and ensuring maximum punishment to the offenders immediately.