Bangladesh: Muslim demonstrators protest, calling for the execution of a Hindu man accused of blasphemy

Image: Jihad Watch

A young Hindu man named Sohag Das, aged 24, from Jaliapara village in North Shalandar, Chandipur Union of Parbatipur, Dinajpur district in Bangladesh, is facing grave threats to his life following accusations of blasphemy. Reports indicate that Das allegedly posted a message on Facebook on June 16 that was perceived as offensive to Prophet Muhammad.

The post soon drew the attention of several Islamist groups, who accused Das of insulting the Prophet and hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community. In response, a wave of outrage erupted, with the Islamist outfit Al Insaf Islami Sangh leading mass protests demanding Das’s execution. On June 17, a major demonstration was held at the Bashirbania Hat College intersection, where protestors called for him to be hanged.

Leaders from various Islamist organizations participated in the protests, delivering speeches in which they condemned Das and vowed to continue agitations until he is sentenced to death. One protest leader declared, “We revere the Prophet more than our own lives. An insult to Him is an insult to the entire Muslim Ummah. We demand the death penalty for this offender.”

Key figures who spoke at the protest included Hafez Md. Jahangir Alam, the religious affairs secretary of the youth society; Md. Mokarram Hossain, general secretary; Md. A. Quddus, president of the Bashirbania Hat Central Jame Mosque; and Tofazzal Haque.

Videos circulating on social media show crowds chanting slogans such as “We want Sohag Das to be hanged.” Protestors also appealed directly to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, urging him to carry out the execution. Additionally, they demanded that the government enact legislation prescribing capital punishment for any insult directed at the Prophet.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)