Keraniganj Prayer Gathering Over 15 August Leads to Arrest

Police have arrested a local Awami League activist in Dhaka’s South Keraniganj after alleging that he took part in organising a Milad and special prayer gathering marking 15 August.

The man, identified as 30-year-old Mahfuz, was detained from the Ikuria Tilapara area of Shubhadda Union at around 12.40am on Friday. He is the son of Nazil Haque Bhandari and is reportedly involved in local Awami League politics.

According to police, between 10 and 12 Awami League activists gathered on the rooftop of a building in the Kaliganj area of South Keraniganj at around 12.10am to hold a prayer session in connection with 15 August. Police said they received information about the gathering and subsequently conducted an operation at the location.

When the group noticed the arrival of police, several participants reportedly left the area. Mahfuz, however, was arrested at the scene. Police have since increased their presence in the locality and are working to identify the other people who allegedly attended the gathering.

The incident has drawn criticism from local Awami League leaders. M.I. Mamun, general secretary of the South Keraniganj unit of the party, condemned the arrest and described the incident as an infringement on the right to express grief and observe religious rituals.

In a statement, Mamun argued that people should have the freedom to express their religious sentiments and mourn according to their beliefs. He accused the authorities of restricting even basic opportunities for people to observe mourning and said political differences should be addressed through political means rather than solely through law-enforcement measures.

He warned that attempts to suppress a political group or viewpoint through what he described as repression could have adverse consequences in the future.

Police, however, said their actions were intended to prevent any deterioration in the local security situation. Abul Kalam Azad, an investigation officer at South Keraniganj Police Station, said law-enforcement personnel remained on heightened alert to prevent members and associates of organisations declared banned from creating unrest.

He said special attention was being given to activities surrounding 15 August so that no incident could escalate into a broader law-and-order problem. Legal proceedings against Mahfuz are under way, while police are also taking steps to bring other alleged participants within the scope of the investigation.

The incident comes amid heightened political sensitivity surrounding 15 August, a date that has traditionally been observed in Bangladesh with memorial and religious programmes. In recent years, however, political developments have significantly altered the circumstances in which such programmes are organised. As a result, gatherings associated with the date have increasingly come under close scrutiny from law-enforcement agencies.

The authorities’ focus remains on preventing gatherings from turning into incidents of confrontation or public disorder, while political opponents and supporters of the Awami League continue to debate the extent to which commemorative and religious activities should be permitted under the prevailing political circumstances.