Jamaat expels 2 supporters over humiliation of freedom fighter

Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled two supporters for their involvement in humiliating freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu by forcing him to wear a garland of shoes in Chauddagram, Cumilla. The party has also called for strict punishment for all those involved.

This information was disclosed in a statement signed by Cumilla District (South) Jamaat’s Publicity Secretary, Md Belal Hossain, on Monday night (December 23).

In a joint statement, Cumilla District (South) Jamaat Ameer Advocate Md. Shahjahan, Secretary Dr. Sarwar Uddin Siddiqui, Chauddagram Upazila Ameer Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, and Secretary Md. Belal Hossain said, "The incident of humiliating freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu in Chauddagram has come to our attention. We strongly condemn and protest this act. Freedom fighters are the greatest sons of the nation. Jamaat does not support the harassment of any citizen, let alone a freedom fighter. We call on the government to swiftly arrest and prosecute those responsible."

The statement clarified, "Those involved in this incident are not leaders or workers of Jamaat at any level. Jamaat does not support anyone taking the law into their own hands. Upon investigation, we found that Abdul Hai Kanu is an accused in nine cases, including a murder case, in his area. We believe law enforcement will take appropriate action against him."

Additionally, they demanded punishment for those involved, including Abul Hashem, currently in Dhaka, and Ohidur Rahman, who recently returned from Dubai. "We urge everyone to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. For violating party discipline, we hereby expel these individuals from Jamaat, despite their status as supporters," the statement added.

The incident occurred on Sunday (December 22) at around 11:30 am when Abdul Hai Kanu went to the local Patdda Bazaar to buy medicine. A group of locals took him to the front of Kuliyara High School, forced him to wear a garland of shoes, and subjected him to physical and mental abuse. A 1-minute 46-second video of the incident went viral that night.

Since the incident, the victim has reportedly gone into hiding due to social embarrassment, while the perpetrators have also fled. Police have launched operations to apprehend those responsible.