TDS Desk:

The followers of Maulana Zubair on Wednesday demanded the government impose a ban on the followers of Maulana Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi of the Tablighi Jamaat, effectively barring them from organising their annual Ijtema gatherings.

Maulana Mamunul Haque, a key follower of Maulana Zubair, came up with the demand during a meeting with advisers at the Secretariat.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury was also present at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Mamunul Haque accused Maulana Saad’s followers of carrying out violent attacks on Zubair’s group, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of four individuals.

He termed the actions of Saad’s followers as “terrorism” in nature and claimed they were collaborating with forces hostile to Bangladesh. “They are playing a role as allies of the anti-Bangladesh forces.”

He said that it was not only the responsibility of religious scholars and clerics but also of the state and its administration to resist such “evil forces.”

Mamunul Haque also informed that a case would be filed by the end of the day in connection with the casualties from the attack.

Citing the recent violence, he demanded that followers of Maulana Saad be prohibited from organising future Ijtema gatherings.

When asked about their response if the government allowed Saad followers to hold the Ijtema gathering, despite their violent attck, Haque expressed his confidence that such a decision would not be taken. “I hope the government will not make that mistake,” he said.