Embattled Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari has announced the dissolution of the organisation's central committee. Speaking in a video message from Chattogram's Hathazari Madrasa, Hefazat's spiritual headquarters, Babunagari said: "Considering the overall situation of the country, the central committee has been dissolved following the advice of some of its key members." The video was posted on Babunagari's (unverified ) Facebook page around 11pm on Sunday night. It quickly spread through various pages affiliated with the conservative Islamic movement, and has met with no objection. However, the Hefazat amir said the organisation would again be active through an interim committee convened for the purpose. The short video message lasted less than 90 seconds, and Babunagari, who rose to the post following the death of long-time leader  Allema Ahmed Shafi last September, could be heard being prompted by someone off camera throughout. Nineteen top Hefazat leaders have been arrested so far over the protests and violence orchestrated by the organisation's supporters and activists across the country against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit. At least 77 cases have been filed against Hefazat leaders and activists from across the country over clashes and vandalism. More than 69,000 people have been accused in the incidents. Babungari has announced the dissolution of the Qawmi madrasa-based organisation's central committee when its leaders, activists and supporters are being arrested in different places of the country including Dhaka every day. Earlier in the day, the government-recognised board Al-Hayatul Ulaya Lil-Jami'atil Qawmia said students and teachers of Qawmi madrasas will remain out of political activities. The board under which students sit for Dawra-e-Hadith – Qawmi madrasas' highest level of the exam – made the decision at a meeting in the capital's Jatrabari. On April 19, Babungari asked for the unconditional release of all "Ulema-Mashaikh" and Hefazat leaders, including the party's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque and Organising Secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi in another video message. The Hefazat chief said they had no programme either at Hathazari or at Brahmanbaria against Modi's visit on March 26. Although there is no proof that Hefazat has any links to political parties, the organisation's leaders; students and Islamic scholars are being arrested indiscriminately, Babunagari said. "What kind of oppression is this? A country cannot be run in this way," he added. "Hefazat does not bring any political party to power or force anyone to step down. We aim to establish the agenda of Muhammad (PBUH)," he said. Although Hefazat emerged as a non-political organisation in 2010, it turned into a political one after the death of Ahmad Shafi. Gradually, leaders of different political parties joined the Hefazat committee.

Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Junayed Babunagari on Monday demanded the release of their arrested leaders via a statement on social media. In the 20-minute long video he asked for unconditional release of all Ulema-Masayek and Hefazat leaders, including the party's joint secretary general Mamunul Haque and organising secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi. He said some mishaps happened on 26 March but Hefazat-e-Islam had no event at Hathazari or Brahmanbaria that day - even he was not present in Hathazari. The Hefazat chief asked the government to stop filing false cases against the leaders and to stop harassing and arresting them. Also read: 12 more Hefazat supporters held over Brahmanbaria violence Although there is no proof that Hefazat-e-Islam has any links to any political parties, propaganda to that effect is being spread, he said. "What kind of oppression is this? A country cannot be run in this way," he said. Babunagari said Hefazat leaders are being shown arrested under false cases filed in 2013. Also read: Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested Hefazat's aim is not to take any political party to power or to force anyone to step down from power. Their sole aim is to establish the agenda of Muhammad (PBUH), he said. "We don't want any anarchy or militancy," Babunagari further said.

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) on Monday submitted an investigation report against Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Junaid Babunagari and 42 others in a case filed over the alleged murder of the group’s former chief Shah Ahmad Shafi.PBI Chattogram Police Superintendent Nazmul Hossain said the report was submitted to the Chattogram Judicial Magistrate Court in the afternoon. Also read: Case filed over Hefazat chief Shafi’s death, Mamunul among 36 sued Also read: Ahmad Shafi’s death: PBI investigators visit Hathazari MadrasaShafi, the rector of Hathazari Madrasa and chief of Hefazat, breathed his last at a hospital in the capital on September 18 last year at the age of 104.On December 17, a case was filed against 36 people including Hefazat Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque over the death of Shafi.Md Mainuddin, the brother-in-law of Shafi, filed the case with Chattogram Judicial Magistrate Court-3, calling his death “a planned murder”.The court ordered PBI to file an investigation report within a month.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday asked the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report on February 3, after investing a sedition case filed against Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Junaid Babunagari over his anti-sculpture comments.

A Dhaka court on Monday asked the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report within January 7 after investing the cases filed against three people, including Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Junaid Babunagari for their opposition to setting up of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s sculptures.   Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sotyabrata Shikder passed the order.   Earlier, in the day, two cases were filed against the three people.   President of Muktijoddha Mancha Aminul Islam Bulbul and executive president and founder of Bangabandhu Foundation Advocate Moshiur Malek filed the cases with the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sotyabrata Shikder on Monday.   Two other accused of the cases are Islami Andolan Bangladesh Nayeb-e-Ameer Faizul Karim and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh acting Secretary General Mamunul Haque.   Hefazat chief Junaid Babunagari threatened to tear down all the statues in the country while addressing an event at Chittagong’s Hathazari on November 27.   On November 13, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Nayeb-e-Ameer Faizul Karim and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque opposed the setting up of Bangbandhu’s sculptures.   The making of a sculpture of Bangabandhu in the capital has recently stirred a lot of controversies.   On Saturday, an under-construction sculpture of Bangabandhu was vandalized in Kushtia.   Police on Sunday arrested four people, including two teachers of Kushtia Ibn Masud R Madrasah at Jugiya Paschimpara in the town in connection with the vandalism.   Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Khandakar Mohiuddin said the arrestees smashed the sculpture instigated by the speeches of Faizul Karim and Mamunul Haque.   Earlier in the day, the High Court asked the authorities concerned to take measures to ensure the security of all sculptures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman across the country.   On Sunday, a writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) seeking security of all sculptures including those of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Supreme Court lawyer Uttam Lahiri filed the writ petition.   Read Also: Bangabandhu sculpture: Babunagari, 2 others sued for sedition

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh would be run following the Medina Charter. There can be no statues in the country if it is governed based on the document.

Junaid Babunagari on Sunday took the helm of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.