Thousands join namaj-e-janaza
Laid to rest in family graveyard
Chattogram lawyers went on a two-day strike on Wednesday in protest against the killing of Saiful Islam Alif, a fellow lawyer, during a violent confrontation involving police, lawyers an supporters of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Since Wednesday morning, the court activities have remained suspended, and the lawyers have gathered on the court premises to demand the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Besides, thousands of people joined the namaz-e-janaza of Saiful Islam Alif on the court premises at 10:00am and at Jamiatul Falah National Mosque ground at 11:30 am.
Land Affairs Adviser AF Hassan Ariff, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, Jamaat-e-Islami Chattogram Metropolitan Ameer Shahjahan Chowdhury, July Shaheed Smriti Foundation general secretary Sarjis Alam, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah, Russell Ahmed, and Talat Mahmud Rafi, among others, joined the namaz-e-janaza.
After prayers, lawyers demanded immediate identification and exemplary punishment, including the death penalty, for those responsible for Alif’s murder. They also reiterated the call to ban ISKCON. While recalling memories of their colleague Alif, many became emotional and broke down in tears.
Advocate Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, colleague Alif, many became emotional and broke down in tears.
Advocate Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, President of the District Bar Association, stated, “Our beloved brother Alif was brutally murdered yesterday (Tuesday) by ISKCON terrorists. In response, the Bar Association is observing a work stoppage today (Wednesday). After his funeral, we will convene at the Bar to discuss and announce the next course of action. Yesterday (Tuesday), a prison van carrying the accused was surrounded on the court premises, blatantly defying the law. We consider this an anti-state activity. The Bar Association will adopt a zero-tolerance policy in demanding justice for this murder.”
A protest rally was staged where lawyers voiced their outrage and sought justice for their slain colleague. Thousands of students and citizens gathered in the Tiger Pass area of the city to participate in a rally.
Later, leaders from various political parties and student coordinators described Hindu religious organisation ISKCON as a fundamentalist militant group and demanded an immediate ban on ISKCON’s activities in Bangladesh. They warned of continued protests if their demands are not met.
Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah stated, “The extremist organisation ISKCON is trying to create an unstable environment in the country as agents of the Awami League. On August 5, we saw bearded, cap-wearing Muslims guarding Hindu temples. However, the extremist group ISKCON murdered a respected lawyer, Saiful Islam Alif. No matter how many conspiracies the autocratic Hasina orchestrates from India, we will resist. Bangladesh will remain a place for peaceful coexistence among all religions. There is no place for extremism in the name of religion here. ISKCON’s barbarity surpasses even the ignorance of the pre-Islamic era. It must be banned immediately as a militant organisation.”
Calling ISKCON a terrorist group, Sarjis Alam said, “Their actions have shocked us. The common Sanatan (Hindu) brothers in this country are peaceful people. But the agents of the autocratic Hasina are inciting ISKCON to destabilize the country. As long as we are alive, this will not happen. We must stand united against the aggression of fascism.”
Shahjahan Chowdhury said, “I have nothing more to say, except to urge the administration to act. For the past 15 days, I have been warning about Chinmoy Das organising provocative rallies in front of the Press Club, at Cheragi Pahar, and in the Laldighi grounds. I repeatedly said they are becoming more aggressive. They should not be allowed to hold any further programs, but my warnings went unheard.”
At 1:00PM, people began gathering at the Stadium in Lohagara Sadar, Chattogram, from far and wide. Within a short time, the entire field was packed. The crowd began chanting slogans expressing their outrage.
At 2:00pm, under police escort, the body of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif arrived at the stadium, casting a pall of sorrow over the gathering.
Many among the mourners were seen weeping uncontrollably. Alif was showered with love and respect by thousands.
The namaz-e-janaza was held at 2:30pm, led by Maulana Dr Mahmudul Haque Osmani, the Khatib of Baittali Central Jame Mosque.
After the prayer, Alif’s body was taken to his village home in Chunati, Lohagara Upazila, Chattogram.
A heart-wrenching scene unfolded at his family home. Relatives were crying out in anguish, overwhelmed by grief.
The family was left speechless. Saiful’s father, Jamal Uddin, his mother, Hosne Ara Begum, and his wife, Israt Jahan Tarin, repeatedly fainted as they cried.
Hosne Ara Begum lost consciousness upon realizing that Saiful would never see his unborn child. The atmosphere grew even heavier with sorrow.
Saiful’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Tajkia, unaware of her father’s death, gazed blankly at everyone around her.
Finally, at 4:45pm, the last namaz-e-janaza was held in the premises of Hazrat Abdul Latif Shah’s (RA) shrine in Faranga, Pashchim Kul.
Alif was laid to rest in the family graveyard following the prayer.
Meanwhile, as many as 33 people have so far arrested in connection with Tuesday's incident. Besides, preparations were going on after scrutinizing the arrested persons.
Advocate Saiful Islam Alif was an inhabitant of Chunti area under Lohagara upazila. His father is Jalal Uddin. Saiful became member of the Chittagong Bar Association in 2018. Later, he was enrolled as a lawyer of the High Court.
Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was killed in the attack of the followers of ISKON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari at the Chittagong court premises on Tuesday after the court rejected the leader’s bail in a sedition case.
Witnesses said unidentified people took him to nearby Jangal Cinema Lane on the ground floor of the court, beat him up and then hacked him to death.
The unrest began when thousands of his followers of Chinmoy gathered on the court premises and obstructed the prison van carrying him, demanding his immediate release.
Police have arrested 33 people in connection with the violence and murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
Of them, Chattagram Metropolitan Police arrested at least six people as suspects over the murder of lawyer Alif.
The six were identified through video footage. The CMP also arrested 21 people for vandalism and assaults on police during clashes on Tuesday.
Besides, six members of the Awami League and the outlawed Chhatra League were also detained with homemade improvised explosives (cocktails) in the port city, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.
