The Tablighi Jamaat supporters of senior cleric Maulana Zubair Ahmed have announced a protest and an Ulama conference demanding punishment for those involved in the deadly attack at the Bishwa Ijtema grounds on the banks of the Turag River, reports bdnews24.com.
Maulana Nazmul Hasan Qasemi, known as a Zubair supporter, said at a press conference at Dhaka's Kakrail Mosque on Saturday that a protest procession will be held across the country on January 10 and an Ulama conference with scholars will be held on January 25.
The press conference was held under the banner of "Ulama-Mashaykh Bangladesh, Guests and Friends". Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Mamunul Haque was also present.
He said, "The first phase of the Ijtema is being held on Jan 31; there is no obstacle to it. Preparations are in full swing."
"The second phase was announced but the situation has changed after Dec 17. Those whose hands were stained with the blood of worshippers after the massacre that day have no moral right to hold the Ijtema there."
Mamunul said, "If legal action is taken against the murderer, then we want the administration to tell us how they will hold the Ijtema."
On the night of December 17, the supporters of Zubair and Indian preacher Saad Kandhlawi clashed over the control of the Bishwa Ijtema grounds on the banks of the Turag. At least three people were killed, and several others were injured.
Criticising Saad at the press conference, Qasemi said: "The beautiful religious work of Daawat and Tablighi Jamaat has been plagued by problems for a long time due to the controversial role of Saad Sahib in India."
"The problems have not been resolved despite various initiatives by the administration due to the fanaticism and disturbances of his blind followers."
He said, "I strongly demand that Saad followers be banned due to criminal activities, including the murders in 2018 and 2024."
"If the government does not take effective steps and make the expected progress in fulfilling these demands, then the next decision will be announced by the Ulama conference."
In response to a question from the media, Mamunul said, "I am not demanding a ban on any individual, but a ban on the collective organisational activities of the Saad faction."
In response to another question, he said: "The government was supposed to resolve the issue by Dec 17. In the meantime, all doors of negotiations were closed and our three brothers were killed. Now, how can we return to negotiations with them after this bloodshed?"
