Haroon Izhar, widely known for his hardline views and alleged links to extremist activities, made the claims at a police station in Chattogram while demanding the release of individuals detained for an attack on India’s Assistant High Commission. His remarks have drawn intense scrutiny, particularly because of his earlier public statements that openly threatened India. In the past, Izhar had declared from a public platform, “We shook Dhaka. Next is Delhi, Inshallah,” a comment that cemented his reputation as a figure associated with anti-India incitement and radical mobilization.
Despite this background, Izhar now asserts that there is no “mob culture” in Bangladesh and that he and his supporters are ensuring the safety of the Indian High Commission and Hindu religious sites. He claimed that the Indian diplomatic mission in Bangladesh is an “innocent institution” and insisted that no organized crowd would be allowed to target it. According to him, even before the role of police or administration, “Bangladeshis themselves” would prevent any such incident.
These claims come in the aftermath of a recent violent episode in Chattogram, where stones were hurled at the Indian Assistant High Commission. Following the attack, Bangladeshi authorities detained 12 individuals in connection with the incident. Haroon Izhar personally appeared at the local police station to press for their release, during which he delivered his controversial remarks. Questioning the severity of the incident, he asked whether even a single window of the diplomatic mission had been broken.
Izhar further stated that while he considers India an “aggressive and terrorist country,” he distinguishes between the Indian state and its diplomatic mission in Bangladesh. He warned that any Indian action along the border would be met with a response, but maintained that the High Commission should not be targeted. He also added that if any isolated individual were to act independently against the mission, he and his group would not take responsibility.
His assertions, however, stand in stark contrast to recent events. The same extremist networks associated with Izhar have repeatedly been accused of attempting attacks on Indian diplomatic facilities in Bangladesh. The Chattogram incident is the latest in a series of such security concerns, raising questions about the credibility of his claims and the broader influence of radical elements.
The episode underscores a deeper challenge for Bangladeshi authorities as they grapple with extremist rhetoric that seeks to project control and legitimacy while past actions and ongoing investigations tell a different story. As tensions involving diplomatic security, minority protection, and regional stability continue to surface, Izhar’s statements have reignited debate over who truly wields influence on the ground—and at what cost to law, order, and international relations.
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