Leaders of a newly emerged platform have claimed that a violent attack in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area was carried out after prior discussions with police, an allegation that law enforcement authorities have firmly denied.
The incident took place last Friday evening, when a group of around 60 to 70 people, under the banner of “Azadi Andolon,” attacked individuals they accused of being homosexual, leaving at least four people injured, according to witnesses and organisers.
The platform’s convenor, Md Shahriar Alam, told TIMES of Bangladesh that he had spoken with the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station, Md Moniruzzaman, about a week before the incident regarding the presence of the group near the National Museum, located opposite the police station.
He said the issue was discussed again on 3 April, when both he and the OC visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital to see an injured journalist. During that conversation, Shahriar claimed he raised concerns about what he described as the group’s regular presence.
According to Shahriar, the OC acknowledged that the situation was “embarrassing” for the police and said they were facing difficulties, but could not intervene directly due to existing legal constraints. Shahriar further alleged that the officer advised raising social awareness, while cautioning against any physical intervention.
Despite this, Shahriar said he proceeded with the action. His group had earlier campaigned on Facebook, calling for the removal of those they accused of being homosexual from the area. On 10 April, they formally announced a programme and gathered at Shahbagh.
Eyewitnesses said that at around 8:00pm, members of the group attempted to drive the individuals away. When they encountered resistance, the situation escalated into a physical confrontation. The attackers eventually forced the group to leave the area.
Victims claim that because the matter had been discussed with police beforehand, no case or general diary was filed in connection with the incident. This has led to allegations of tacit approval or inaction by law enforcement.
Police officials, however, have rejected these claims. OC Moniruzzaman denied any involvement, stating that he was on leave on the day of the incident. Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of the Ramna zone, also dismissed the allegation of prior consultation, but said authorities are reviewing video footage to determine what took place.
The incident has drawn attention to the background of those involved. Shahriar Alam is a student of Islamic History at the University of Dhaka. He has completed his master’s degree and enrolled in an MPhil programme, although he said his studies are currently on hold. He resides at Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall.
He is politically associated with the camp of Mamunul Haque and serves as the convenor of the Dhaka University unit of Khelafat Chhatra Majlish, the student wing of Khelafat Majlish. He also said he is the chief coordinator of a platform called “July Mancha”.
Ali Hossain Tanmoy, treasurer of the same student organisation’s Dhaka University unit, also claimed that police had advised them to take initiative themselves. He said that when they approached the group at Shahbagh, a verbal altercation broke out, which later turned violent.
Investigations suggest that members of several Islamist groups, including Khelafat Chhatra Majlish and Hefazat-e-Islam, as well as individuals linked to banned organisations, may have been involved. Shahriar said the programme was open to all, adding that if members of banned groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir were present, responsibility would lie with them individually.
Mamunul Haque, the ameer of Khelafat Majlish, said no one should take the law into their own hands, regardless of political affiliation. He said that doing so would be wrong, as legal avenues exist to address grievances. However, he avoided directly answering whether any action would be taken against Shahriar.
Azadi Andolon appears to have been formed recently. Shahriar said it was established on 30 January, at the beginning of Ramadan, based on his personal initiative and consultations with various student groups, with activities launched through Facebook.
A review of Shahriar’s social media activity suggests links with individuals known for promoting hardline views. He himself acknowledged that, in his view, individuals sometimes need to act beyond the law as part of their role in society.
Referring to past incidents of violence, Shahriar said that if he were to be killed in a similar manner to those who had opposed what he described as “cultural fascism”, he would consider it a path to paradise.
The incident has raised wider concerns about vigilantism, the role of law enforcement, and the growing influence of loosely organised groups mobilised through social media. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing.
