Bangladesh Police Clash with Hizbut Tahrir Protesters in Dhaka
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Police in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, used tear gas and sound grenades on Friday to disperse hundreds of Hizbut Tahrir activists demanding the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in place of the country’s secular democracy.
Hizbut Tahrir Defies Ban with ‘March for Khilafat’
Despite police barricades, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Baitul Mukarram Mosque after Friday prayers, chanting “Khilafat, Khilafat” as they attempted to march.
Security forces struggled to contain the large demonstration and resorted to tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd, according to eyewitnesses. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had issued a warning a day earlier, cautioning banned organizations against holding public rallies.
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Hizbut Tahrir’s History of Defiance in Bangladesh
Hizbut Tahrir, which has been banned in Bangladesh since October 2009 due to national security concerns, has continued to organize protests and marches, defying government restrictions on public gatherings.
While the London-based group claims to advocate for a pan-Islamic state through peaceful means, its activities remain under strict government scrutiny.
Bangladesh’s Political Landscape Amid Unrest
With a population of 170 million, Bangladesh remains one of the world’s largest democracies, though it continues to grapple with political instability.
The country has faced mounting unrest since an interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, took power following mass protests that resulted in the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
