Minority rights conference in Dhaka cancelled, organisers claim ‘police obstruction’

The “National Minority Conference” at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka’s Khamarbari did not take place, with organisers alleging they faced “police obstruction”.

The event was scheduled to begin at 10am on Friday under the banner of the Minority Rights Movement.

However, police said that any such programme within the metropolitan area requires formal approval from the police commissioner.

Organisers had submitted an application to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner on Thursday, but were not granted permission.

In a Facebook post, the Minority Rights Movement wrote: “An indoor programme!!! Blocked at the last moment by security forces… All attacks on minorities in Bangladesh are political. Then why so much fear of a minority community conference?”

Organiser and student representative Subrata Ballabh told bdnews24.com, “We had everything ready. There are issues of getting permission from the authorities. But they never gave us any feedback. This morning we called, we went to Tejgaon police, but they didn’t say anything to us. Then, we were told there is a ‘problem’ here.”

He added that more than 150 people who had travelled from across the country to attend the conference were forced to return.

Later, when some organisers attempted to make speeches outside the Krishibid Institution with a banner, police “also obstructed them”, he claimed.

“Our programme cannot be stopped this way,” Subrata said, adding that a new date would soon be announced and the conference would be held again.

Tejgaon Police Station chief Mobarak Hossain said, “We had intelligence reports suggesting the programme could lead to chaos. Also, in the metropolitan area, such events require the commissioner’s approval.”

Explaining that the group applied for permission just a day before the event was scheduled to take place, he said, “Applications are sent to the deputy commissioner, then forwarded to me. I review everything and, if no issues arise, permission is given.”

"We usually send our forces for events like these, so applications must be submitted at least a week in advance. People from the Hindu community would have come from across the country, so their security also needed to be ensured.”

Responding to police claims that the organisers had not formally booked the hall, Subrata said: “We submitted all documents for the booking. The forms were completed and the process was followed.”

He added that partial payment had been made towards the hall rent.

“We were told the rental document would be given once administrative permission came through. The hall authorities required permission from the administration before finalising it.”