A leader of the Jubo Mohila League in Mymensingh’s Ishwarganj has been arrested over allegations that she organised a food distribution programme for disadvantaged people on the anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s death and subsequently promoted the event on social media.
Police arrested Rifat Jahan, general secretary of the municipal Jubo Mohila League, in the Kalibari Road area of Ishwarganj town on Sunday evening, 16 August. She was formally shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act and was sent to court on Monday, 17 August.
According to police, Jahan organised the distribution of food among poor and disadvantaged residents at her home in the Shimultali area of Char Hossainpur in the municipal town on 15 August, marking the 51st anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination.
She later uploaded photographs and videos of the programme to her personal Facebook account. Police said the social media posts contained statements in support of the Awami League and comments concerning the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh.
According to the police, the posts were considered an attempt to conduct political propaganda in favour of the Awami League and to mislead members of the public. The issue reportedly came to the attention of law-enforcement authorities after the posts circulated locally.
In one of the Facebook posts, Jahan referred to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as “Bangabandhu” and wrote that his legacy represented Bangladesh. She also prayed for the well-being of his family and expressed a wish for Sheikh Hasina to return to the country and lead what she described as a renewed effort to make Bangladesh free of “Razakars”.
The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of political activities and social-media content linked to the Awami League following major political changes in Bangladesh. Activities, public gatherings and online expressions associated with the party have increasingly come under the attention of law-enforcement agencies, particularly where authorities allege that such activities violate existing legal restrictions.
Ishwarganj Police Station officer-in-charge Robiul Azam said Jahan had been arrested on allegations of conducting Awami League activities and promoting them through social media. He said a case had been filed against her under the Anti-Terrorism Act and that she had subsequently been sent to court.
The allegations against Jahan remain matters for the legal process. Her arrest and the filing of a case do not, by themselves, establish her guilt, which would have to be determined through the judicial proceedings.
The 15 August anniversary has historically been observed by supporters of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League through commemorative programmes, including discussions, prayers and food distribution among disadvantaged people. In the current political climate, however, such activities may also attract scrutiny when authorities consider them to constitute political campaigning or other prohibited activity.
