Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Kushtia on Wednesday alleged that the inclusion of Jamaat leaders and activists in the murder case of ‘Pir’ Abdur Rahman Shamim alias Jahangir in Daulatpur is part of a “well-planned conspiracy”.
They also demanded an impartial, transparent and credible investigation to uncover the true circumstances of the incident.
The claims were made at a press conference held in Kushtia city on Wednesday afternoon.
Jamaat leader among 200 sued over Kushtia ‘Pir’ murder
In a written statement, Daulatpur Upazila Jamaat Ameer Maulana Belal Hossain said that in the recent murder incident in Philipnagar, party-nominated union parishad chairman candidate and former district president Muhammad Khaja Ahmed has been named as the main accused, while attempts are being made to implicate other party leaders.
He rejected the allegations, calling them “completely false, baseless and part of a well-planned conspiracy.”
He further claimed that neither the party nor its leaders and activists were involved in the killing of Pir Shamim, nor in any related attack, vandalism or arson at his shrine.
Jamaat leaders said the party has maintained a peaceful and lawful stance since the incident and supported dialogue and legal processes.
They also raised the alleged presence of local BNP leaders also at the spot, calling for a fair investigation to uncover the real facts behind the incident.
The leaders stressed that political or ideological differences should never be resolved through violence, and said they do not support any form of extrajudicial activity.
They alleged that a vested-interest group is trying to implicate their leaders for political reasons, targeting individuals who advocate “anti-extortion and anti-occupation politics” in the area.
The press conference urged authorities to ensure a fair and transparent investigation, identify the real culprits, and bring them to justice, while also calling for an end to the harassment of innocent individuals.
They also requested the media to report responsibly and avoid spreading rumours or one-sided information.
The leaders called on locals to remain calm and not be provoked by any misinformation, and said the party would contest the matter through legal channels.
Jamaat leaders and activists, including Kushtia city Jamaat Ameer Enamul Haque, Daulatpur Upazila Ameer Maulana Belal Hossain, Secretary Abdullah Al Noman, and former Shibir president Mostafizur Rahman Palash, attended the press conference.
Earlier on Tuesday, a case was filed against four named individuals, including a local Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader, and 180-200 unnamed ones, over the murder of self-proclaimed ‘Pir’ Abdur Rahman, also known as Shamim Reza and Jahangir, who was killed in a mob attack at his shrine in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia.
Victim’s brother Fazlur Rahman filed the case at Daulatpur Police Station.
Shamim Reza, 65, was beaten and hacked to death on Saturday afternoon at his shrine known as “Shamim Baba’s Darbar Sharif” in Philipnagar union.
According to locals, an old video from 2023 resurfaced, leading to allegations of blasphemy and triggering the attack.
Three of his followers– Zubayer, Mohon Ali and Jamirun Nesa – were also injured in the incident.