Jamaat to investigate allegations of obstructing Manik Pashari's burial
On the left, valiant freedom fighter Manik Pashari; on the right, the logo of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has formed a two-member committee to investigate the alleged obstruction centering the burial and bestowing state honors to Bir Muktijoddha (Freedom Fighter) Manik Pashari in Pirojpur. The committee has been instructed to submit its investigation report within the next three days.
This decision was taken at a special meeting of the party's central executive council at Jamaat's central office on Tuesday evening. Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman presided over the meeting.
In a press release, the party said that the meeting held detailed discussions on the controversy surrounding Manik Pashari's burial in Pirojpur. The committee will examine whether anyone from the organization was involved in the incident through a proper and impartial investigation. The local organization has been instructed to provide full cooperation in this matter.
The members of the investigation committee are — central executive council member Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP and Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul MP.
Manik Pashari was the complainant in the case filed against Jamaat leader and former MP Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, who was convicted of crimes against humanity he had committed during 1971. Manik's body was taken to Pirojpur for burial on Saturday. There, local Jamaat leaders and activists obstructed ceremonial guard of honor and the burial of the body. At one point, the guard of honor was given to him somewhat secretly inside the police lines. Later, complications arose over the burial of the body due to obstruction by Jamaat leaders.
That same night around 1 am, with the assistance of Sadar Thana police, Manik Pashari's body was taken to his home. There, his wife, daughter, sister, and other family members dug the grave together and completed the burial around 2 am.
At that time, Pirojpur District Jamaat Assistant Secretary Abdur Razzak denied the allegation of obstructing the burial of the body. However, in multiple videos spread on social media, many of those who held processions and made speeches saying "Manik Pashari's burial will not be allowed to take place in Pirojpur" and campaigned on Facebook have been identified as local Jamaat leaders and activists.
