ছবি: Photo: Collected
The funeral prayers of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif, who was tragically killed during clashes surrounding demands for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, drew thousands of mourners in Chattogram. The two separate funeral prayers were held on Wednesday at the Court Building premises and the Jamiatul Falah National Mosque.
The first funeral prayer took place at 10:30 AM in the Court Building courtyard, followed by the second prayer at Jamiatul Falah Mosque grounds at 11:30 AM. His final prayer and burial were scheduled for 4 PM at his family graveyard in Chunati, Lohagara.
Mourners Flock From Across the Region
Since 9 AM, mourners from various parts of the city and nearby districts began gathering at the Court Building premises and Jamiatul Falah Mosque. People arrived in buses and trucks from rural areas, and by 11 AM, the mosque grounds were overwhelmed with a sea of people offering prayers.
Prominent figures, including A.F. Hasan Arif, advisor to the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, attended the prayers. Political leaders, including Chattogram city Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shahjahan Chowdhury, were also present. Attendees from Dhaka included Sarjis Alam, Secretary General of the July Martyrs’ Memorial Foundation, and Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The second prayer at Jamiatul Falah was led by Shahjahan Chowdhury, who stated, “We have nothing more to say. Everyone, line up for prayer. I only urge the authorities: for the last 15 days, I have warned about Chinmoy Das’s provocative gatherings at press clubs, Cheragi Pahar, and Laldighi. Yet, no action was taken against them.”
Calls for Justice and Condemnation of Violence
At the first funeral prayer, held under the initiative of the District Bar Association, grief-stricken lawyers demanded swift identification and exemplary punishment, including the death penalty, for Saiful’s killers. Several also called for the banning of ISKCON, accusing its members of escalating tensions. Many colleagues shared emotional tributes, breaking down in tears as they remembered Saiful’s life and work.
District Bar Association President Advocate Nazim Uddin Chowdhury emphasized, “Our dear brother Saiful was brutally killed by ISKCON extremists on Tuesday. In protest, the Bar Association is observing a work suspension today. Following the funeral, we will convene at the bar to decide on our next steps.”
He further criticized the previous day’s unrest, stating, “Prison vans carrying suspects were surrounded in the court premises, blatantly challenging the rule of law. Such acts are anti-state, and we, as the Bar Association, will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against them.”
When asked if lawyers would defend the suspects, he responded, “We will deliberate and announce our stance regarding this matter.”
The Tragic Incident
On Tuesday, November 26, Advocate Saiful Islam (35) was killed in a violent clash between law enforcement, lawyers, and followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh United Sanatani Awakening Alliance. Saiful was attacked and fatally stabbed during the altercation.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Saiful Islam, a resident of Chunati village in Lohagara, was the son of Jalal Uddin. He became a member of the District Bar Association in 2018 and later registered as a lawyer in the High Court. His tragic death has sparked widespread grief and outrage, with many calling for stronger measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
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