NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing political turmoil and instability, Bangladesh is facing another challenge — the rapidly increasing influence of Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT), which is a fundamentalist political organisation that aspires to re-establish the Islamic Caliphate and implement Sharia globally.
HuT, proscribed in many countries, was banned in Bangladesh in October 2009. That seems to have been reversed now as its supporters are taking out marches (including in Dhaka) and there are posters propagating its ideology.
“The Hizb ut-Tahrir is an organisation that is well established and consists of educated people. Their influx is across all segments of society in Bangladesh at present,” Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a political commentator from Dhaka told this newspaper.
On August 9, supporters of HuT organised a rally at Baitul Mukarram North Gate in Dhaka and demanded the establishment of the Khalifah in Bangladesh based on Sharia law which they claim would ensure “true justice and welfare” of all the citizens in Bangladesh.
They also called to oust foreign companies and annul the strategic agreements with non-Muslim states.
“This is a worrying trend as HuT seems to have sympathisers in the army, they don’t believe in democracy and are against gender rights, so women have a lot to worry about,’’ a source from Dhaka told this newspaper.
HuT has been banned in China, Russia, Pakistan, Germany, Turkey, UK, Kazakhstan and across Central Asia, Indonesia and all Arab countries, except Lebanon, Yemen and the UAE.
Meanwhile, some arrests have been made in India too of covert HuT operatives who seem to be expanding their network. Most of the operatives are educated and expand their propaganda through students. Arrests have been made in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Telengana and Tamil Nadu.
“If the HuT movement intensifies in Bangladesh, it would have an impact in India too as the covert operators in India are likely to coordinate with Bangladesh,’’ said a source.
Meanwhile, in January the British parliament cleared a draft laid by the then British home secretary, James Cleverly, to proscribe the HuT under the Terrorism Act 2000. This means that any link with the group will be a criminal offence.
Call for Caliphate
On August 9, supporters of HuT held a rally at Baitul Mukarram North Gate in Dhaka and demanded the establishment of the Khalifah in Bangladesh based on Sharia law, which they claim would ensure “true justice and welfare” of all citizens. They also called to oust foreign firms and annul the strategic agreements with non-Muslim states.