In early 2013, Bangladesh witnessed widespread violence orchestrated by Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, in response to the International Crimes Tribunal’s proceedings against their leaders for 1971 war crimes. The unrest intensified around the February 28 verdict against Delawar Hossain Sayedee, a prominent Jamaat figure sentenced to death. Prior to this, on February 4, Jamaat leaders at a Motijheel rally threatened war against the government if convictions occurred, criticizing the trials as politically motivated. This occurred openly in front of police, leading to summons for three leaders, including a former MP.
The violence erupted following earlier verdicts. In January, Abul Kalam Azad (Bachchu Razakar), an expelled Jamaat member, received a death sentence without party backlash. However, the February 5 life imprisonment verdict for Abdul Quader Molla triggered immediate attacks. Jamaat-Shibir cadres targeted state properties like rail tracks, police, Awami League supporters, Hindus, and even Shaheed Minars—symbols of national identity. Amid the Shahbagh uprising demanding harsher penalties, they assassinated blogger Ahmed Rajeeb Haider on February 15 near his Mirpur home. Five arrested Shibir students confessed to the pre-planned killing under a former leader’s orders.
Anticipating Sayedee’s verdict on February 28, Jamaat called a hartal, sparking systematic assaults. From February 28 to March 5, around 60 people died nationwide, including apolitical civilians. Attacks continued sporadically through March. Economic losses were staggering: the Shibganj Palli Bidyut Samity office destruction cost Tk200 crore, while railway damages reached Tk8.5 crore, with wagons burned in Rajshahi and Dhaka, lines derailed, and stations wrecked.
Specific atrocities highlighted the brutality. In Chapainawabganj, cadres pushed engineer Tauheedul Islam off a Parjatan motel roof, killing him, and torched the Rural Electrification Association office, displacing 48 families. In Gaibandha, they torched Bamandanga Rail Station, assaulted police, and burned constables alive. Chittagong saw attacks on police, a community center, and Hindu homes in Banshkhali, where 65-year-old Dayal Haridas died resisting arson. In Jhenaidah, 17 law enforcers were injured, some airlifted to Dhaka. Satkhira witnessed bow-and-arrow assaults on police and BGB, resulting in four deaths during defensive firing.
Factbox: Mass violence before and after Sayedee verdict in 2013
Travesty Of Justice: Supreme Court frees Jamaat’s razakar Khan Akram Hossain
Tarique Rahman attends Jamaat Iftar in war criminal ATM Azhar’s presence
Minority communities bore significant brunt. Hindus faced pre-planned raids on homes, temples, and businesses in Bogra, Joypurhat, Sirajganj, Noakhali, and Chittagong, with losses up to Tk50 lakh in Banshkhali. In Feni and Bogra, absurd rumors of Sayedee’s image on the moon incited mobs. Cadres used women and children as shields, violating the Convention on the Rights of the Child and national policies.
March incidents escalated further. On March 1, Joypurhat’s Kashra Gobindapur saw Hindu homes looted and torched post-Jumma prayers. In Netrokona, a Kali temple was burned. March 2 brought road blockades in Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar, killing three cadres in clashes. Sylhet saw former Chhatra League leader Jogot Jyoti Talukdar hacked to death in a garage. Rajshahi train wagons were incinerated. On March 3, Bogra police barracks were torched; defensive firing killed several. Sirajganj Hindus were targeted in Enayetpur. Joypurhat’s Panchbibi station assault led to six deaths.
By March 4, 235 cases were filed, with 1,572 arrests. Pro-Jamaat media like Daily Sangram, Amar Desh, Naya Diganta, Inqilab, and Diganta TV fueled agitation through biased reporting.
Targeted killings persisted. On March 7, Jubo League activist Abdur Rahman died from injuries in Chapainawabganj clashes. March 9 saw businessman Ahmed Miraj’s body found in Dhaka, suspected Jamaat involvement due to his brother’s testimony against Ghulam Azam. In Khulna, constable Mofizul Islam was shot during arrests.
This wave of violence, blending political protest with communal terror, underscored deep divisions, claiming dozens of lives, inflicting billions in damages, and eroding social fabric. It reflected Jamaat’s desperation amid accountability for historical crimes, met with law enforcement’s defensive responses.