The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the government has sought the bank account details of 24 leaders of different organisations, including Hefazat-e-Islam and 30 madrasas. The BFIU issued the notice on March 31, asking the banks to send the information within five working days. The move came right after the recent conflicts between Hefazat men, ruling party activists and law enforcers that killed 16 pro-Hefazat men. Hefazat had been protesting the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his anti-Muslim stance, during Bangladesh’s Golden Jubilee celebration. Hefazat later observed a countrywide hartal protesting the deaths.
The intelligence has taken the initiative to look into the sources of fund of the Islamist organisations. The BFIU also asked the banks to submit accounts details of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Secretary-General Syed Faizul Karim and Bangladesh Imam and Musolli Oikya Parishad Secretary-General Mahmudul Hasan Siraji. Accounts information of some 11 people, who are holding top administrative positions in 11 madrasas located in Narayanganj and Brahmanbaria districts, has to be sent to the BFIU. In addition, the BFIU has also asked banks to send account details of 30 madrasas, including the Hathazari Madrasa Chattogram.
The call for banking details and freezing accounts is an old trick to intimidating political opponents. Religious leaders and schools in the country are basically run with people’s donations, Zakat and endowment fund. In most cases they hardly maintain bank accounts.
The government thinks from its own experience money is politics and nothing moves in politics if the source of funds is cut off. They have chosen the path of corruption for all those who support the government to become rich like mad with public money. We do not think the government will care to deny that the people in power spent a huge amount of money to buy the leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam. The government cannot deny that a colossal amount people’s money was used for winning the election against the people?
The government cannot believe the people and often acts from their belief and conviction. The oppressive government itself produces angry reactions. Everything is being done the bureaucratic way. Purchase anti-people supporters and use police cases at will to suppress dissent in Bangladesh is a success story of politics of corruption and police cases.
But what is not known, the Hefazat leaders hardly have bank accounts.
