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Black Lives Matter Protest in DC, 6/1/2020 Source: © Koshu Kunii/Unsplash, 2020.
Tension on the rise as the banned extremist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir supporters hold a public rally, ‘March for Khilafat’, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
On October 22, 2009 Bangladesh officially banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, mentioning concerns regarding public safety linked to its activities. The group continues to operate secretly, planning events and gathering supporters in spite of the ban.
Dhaka, March 7, 2025 – Hizb ut-Tahrir, a banned extremist organisation in Bangladesh and 12 other countries, held the first open rally titled “March for Khilafat” in Dhaka, demanding the establishment of a caliphate. The rally took place following Friday prayers at Baitul Mukarram, the national mosque in Bangladesh, where nearly a thousand members of the organisation gathered to take part. The organisation demanded that military leaders stand by their call for a caliphate. They were chanting slogans like, “Allah’s World—Only for Muslims”, “Movement or Streets—Caliphate, Caliphate”, and “Destroy and Crush—The Shelters of Non-Muslims”.
At the beginning, the Bangladesh police, army, and other security forces were not taking any effective action to suppress the movement. As tensions escalated, police used tear gas, sound grenades, and baton charges to scatter the group. The chaos led to the injury of many and arrest of several supporters of this organisation.
Though peaceful assembly is a constitutional right, any protest promoting extremist ideologies or any activity under the name of the banned outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir is illegal under anti-terrorism laws and may face strict action, as it was declared by Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Security officials have also assured that they are committed to increasing surveillance and preventing any future attempts by Hizb ut-Tahrir to organise public gatherings.
With the fall of previous authoritarian governments, Bangladesh is already facing a period of political uncertainty. As new challenges emerge, all eyes are now on the interim government to see how it handles rising tensions and security concerns in the country.
Sources and Further Reading:
Outlawed Hizb ut-Tahrir to face music for any activity: Police. (2024, March 7). Dhaka Tribune. Accessed 7 March, 2025. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/375655/outlawed-hizb-ut-tahrir-to-face-music-for-any
Police fire tear shells, charge batons to disperse Hizb ut-Tahrir march. (2024, March 7). The Daily Star. Accessed 7 March, 2025. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/police-fire-tear-shells-charge-batons-disperse-hizb-ut-tahrir-march-3841741
March for Khilafat: Hizb ut-Tahrir will face action for any activity, police warn. (2024, March 7). The Business Standard. Accessed 7 March, 2025. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/march-khilafat-hizb-ut-tahrir-will-face-action-any-activity-police-warn-security
Several arrested from Hizb ut-Tahrir rally. (2024, March 7). Dhaka Tribune. Accessed 7 March, 2025. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/375661/several-arrested-from-hizb-ut-tahrir-rally
Police, protesters clash in banned Bangladesh Islamist group’s rally. (2024, March 7). Bdnews24. Accessed 7 March, 2025. https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/511e688e77b2
Bangladesh police clash with banned Islamist group’s supporters at rally. (2024, March 7). Associated Press. Accessed 7 March, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-rally-hizbut-tahrir-police-clases-ad016bae4a3691f7f814883f9f9c8e53
3 Hizb ut-Tahrir members arrested. (2024, March 7). New Age. Accessed 7 March, 2025. https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/259532/3-hizb-ut-tahrir-members-arrested
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