2021 Bangladesh anti-Modi protests | |||
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Date | 19–29 March 2021 | ||
Location | |||
Caused by | 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 | ||
Methods | Demonstrations, stone pelting, rioting | ||
Resulted in | Riots and protests suppressed [1] | ||
Parties | |||
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Lead figures | |||
Casualties and losses | |||
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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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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] [ better source needed ]
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]
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