Summary:
- Freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu was publicly humiliated in Chauddagram, Cumilla, forced to wear a garland of shoes, and threatened by a group of men.
- The government condemned the incident, directed police to investigate, and urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands.
- Hai claims longstanding harassment due to political rivalries since 2016, including nine cases filed against his family by a former MP.
- Police have identified suspects and are working to apprehend them, while Hai has warned of dire consequences if justice is not served promptly.
The Bangladeshi interim government has issued a strong condemnation following the public humiliation of freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu in Chauddagram, Cumilla. The 78-year-old veteran of the country’s Liberation War was forcibly adorned with a garland of shoes in an incident that has sparked widespread outrage and drawn attention to the ongoing challenges faced by war heroes in the nation.
A video of the incident, which took place on December 22, shows Abdul Hai being accosted by a group of men near Kuliara High School. In the footage, Hai, dressed in a red waistcoat and traditional attire, is seen pleading with his assailants as they force him to wear the garland. The perpetrators accused him of harming the community and demanded he leave both his home and Cumilla entirely. One individual is heard issuing threats, while others verbally and physically harassed him. The video ends with two men escorting Hai away from the scene.
The government responded swiftly, with a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on December 23 condemning the act. “We strongly condemn the defamation of Freedom Fighter Abdul Hai at Chauddagram on Sunday,” read the statement. Authorities have instructed local police and administration to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The statement also urged citizens to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Chauddagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge ATM Akhtaruzzaman confirmed that several suspects have been identified, including individuals believed to be residing in Gazipur and Dhaka. “Teams have been dispatched to arrest them. Efforts are underway to bring them to justice,” he stated.
Abdul Hai, visibly distressed, described the ordeal as “barbaric” and issued an emotional plea for justice. Speaking to reporters, he revealed that his family has faced harassment since 2016, when his son Biplob contested for the chairmanship of Batisha Union against a candidate supported by former MP Mujibul Haque. Hai claimed that nine cases were filed against his family during this period, leading to his imprisonment.
While in jail, Hai shared a cell with Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader. He alleged that his treatment during Sunday’s incident was worse than what he experienced under Pakistani collaborators during the Liberation War. “They even held a knife to my throat,” he said.
Locals suggested that political rivalries and Hai’s connections with central Awami League leaders may have fueled animosity against him. Despite being accused in nine cases, including one involving murder, many have expressed outrage over the manner in which he was treated.
The incident has reignited discussions about the treatment of freedom fighters in Bangladesh and their vulnerability to political and social vendettas. As authorities work to apprehend those responsible, Abdul Hai has gone into hiding for fear of further harm. He warned that if justice is not served within 24 hours, he might take his own life—a chilling reminder of how deeply this incident has affected him.
This act of public humiliation has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, highlighting both the enduring respect for freedom fighters in Bangladesh and the urgent need for stronger protections against such acts of defamation and abuse.
Source: TBS News
