Demand for arrest of madrasa attackers in Tongi and release of detained teacher

People attacked Qariul Quran International Madrasa in Tongi, Gazipur. They broke things and beat the teachers and staff. The accused are walking around in public, but police are not arresting them. Instead, police have kept one teacher in jail without any clear proof.

Yesterday, Monday morning, Islamic scholars shared their anger at a human chain in front of the Gazipur District Judge Court. Jubo Jamiat Bangladesh (Gazipur Metropolitan) and Private Madrasa Oikya Parishad, Gazipur organized the event together. The speakers demanded bail and unconditional release for the jailed teacher, Mr. Md. Moslem Uddin. They also asked police to arrest the main accused, Mr. Shahjalal Rumi, and his helpers quickly.

The speakers warned that they will start a strong movement if the demands are not met. They questioned the justice system. They said fugitives can be brought back from foreign countries, but police cannot arrest attackers who move freely in their own area. They called it unacceptable that a teacher stays in jail while the accused attackers stay free.

Mr. Hafez Maulana Keramat Ali, adviser of Private Madrasa Oikya Parishad, presided over the event. Others who spoke were Mr. Maulana Abdul Momin, president of Ittefaqul Madarisil Qawmia Gazipur, and Mr. Selim Ahmed, its secretary. Mr. Mufti Ariful Islam, president of Private Madrasa Oikya Parishad, also spoke. So did Mr. Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, president of Jubo Jamiat Gazipur, and Mr. Maulana Abdul Karim, principal of Nure Madina Madrasa.

Mr. Keramat Ali said some people are trying to put madrasa education and the Alem community in a bad light by using a made up complaint. He said it is very worrying that police have not yet arrested those who attacked the madrasa and beat the teachers.

Mr. Qari Almas Hossain Gazipuri, founding chairman of the madrasa, also questioned the role of police. He said everyone saw in the video how Mr. Shahjalal Rumi attacked and beat the teachers. Yet police told the court in their report that local people beat the police. He also alleged that a child was coached to make a false complaint, and that this complaint sent the teacher to jail while the real attackers remain free.

The speakers said they will build a bigger movement in Gazipur if the teacher, Mr. Moslem Uddin, does not get bail soon. They said the same if the real attackers are not brought under the law.