Not Hefajat alone, BNP-Jamaat alliance behind recent mayhem: PM tells parliament

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told the parliament that legal action will be taken against those involved in killings, vandalism and arson attacks in the name of Islam.

"I can say that legal action will be taken again those responsible for such misdeeds," the premier said during her speech at the 12th session of the 11th parliament. 

The brief session, with only three working days, was prorogued today amid a massive surge in Covid-19 cases.

Issuing a warning against Hefajat-e-Islam, Hasina, also Leader of the House, said that they set fire to houses and offices of Chhatra League and Awami League leaders and activists.

"They are playing with fire. But if a house catches fire, it may spread to another house nearby. Don't they understand this?" -- the premier said.

"Railway station to land office, DC office to all the places that they set fire to -- what will they do if their madrasas, their houses too catch fire? Will people tolerate this? People won't," she said. 

The PM said it is unfortunate that Hefajat men have carried out vandalism and anarchy during golden jubilee celebration of the country's independence, from March 17 to 26.

"Did Hefajat do it alone? BNP-Jamaat alliance is behind it," she said.

Not all Hefajat men were involved in these offences and that is the reality, the premier also said.

Hefajat men spread a rumour over killing of people at the Baitul Mukarram Mosque on March 26 and carried out the destruction from March 26 to March 31, she added.

Sheikh Hasina said BNP and Jamaat gave separate messages supporting Hefajat on March 27 and 28, which is part of a conspiracy against the state. They also suggested to carry out arson attacks, she said.

After calling hartal, Hefajat -- without any provocation -- had carried out vandalism across the country, attacking Awami League offices, houses of AL leaders and activists and government offices.

Many foreign guests had come to our country on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence. Many foreign dignitaries including the Queen of Britain had sent messages on this occasion which brought honour for the country, the PM said. "But who were not happy?"

She said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to arrive on March 26. "But it was said that he wouldn't be allowed to come to Bangladesh. Why?"

"Hefajat-e-Islam announced programmes (in protest of Modi's visit to Bangladesh). But don't they go to Deoband (in India) to receive education? If they continue doing this, how will they get higher education in Deoband? Did they consider that?" she said.

Hasina said her government gave certificates to Qawmi madrasas, arranged their education, and prepared their curriculum. "We are arranging jobs for them in the country and abroad. Then why this vandalism?"

PM said some may ask why the police held back.

"We have shown patience because we have tried to stop these. Because conflict leads to conflict. We didn't want that. We wanted to celebrate the golden jubilee of our independence in a congenial manner," she said.