Mufti Mohibullah’s False Claims Pose Threat to Public Order

Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have successfully defused a potential sectarian crisis following the staged abduction of an imam, highlighting the need for vigilance as the country approaches national elections expected in February 2026.

Mufti Muhammad Mohibullah Miaji, an imam from Gazipur, was reported missing on October 22. When found by police in Panchagarh the following day, he initially claimed he had been abducted and abused by men allegedly connected to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a Hindu religious organization.

However, police investigations using information technology and CCTV footage quickly determined these allegations were false. On October 28, Mufti Mohibullah admitted to a metropolitan magistrate court in Gazipur that he had not been abducted and had traveled to Panchagarh voluntarily.

Despite the swift police response in uncovering the truth, the false allegations had already triggered widespread communal tension. Islamist groups in Panchagarh, organizing under the banner of the Iman-Aqidah Rakkha Committee, held demonstrations demanding a ban on ISKCON. These protests, which included inflammatory slogans targeting the organization, created an atmosphere of fear among Bangladesh’s Hindu minority.

The Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council has expressed concern about the incident, urging the government to take such communally motivated actions seriously as elections approach. The council suggested that blaming ISKCON before a proper investigation might have been part of a calculated strategy by certain Islamist groups to inflame religious tensions.

This incident reflects a troubling pattern in Bangladesh’s history of communal violence, where misinformation and religious bigotry have frequently been used to trigger sectarian conflicts. In previous cases, investigations often revealed that vested interests deliberately incited violence through false information.

The interim government’s handling of such matters has drawn scrutiny. Critics note that authorities have been more focused on refuting false allegations of communal violence than implementing proactive measures to protect minority rights during periods of heightened tension.

As divisive sectarian politics gain momentum ahead of the national elections, security experts emphasize the need for the government to take decisive and preventive actions against any groups attempting to incite religious violence. Under Bangladesh’s Penal Code, making false accusations with intent to cause harm is a criminal offense, raising questions about whether Mufti Mohibullah’s fabricated abduction might have been part of a broader scheme to create social unrest.

The case underscores the delicate balance of religious tensions in Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim country with significant religious minorities. For law enforcement and political leadership, preventing the exploitation of religious differences remains a critical challenge, particularly during election periods when communities may be especially vulnerable to manipulation.

Security analysts point out that Bangladesh’s history of electoral violence often involves communal dimensions, making this incident a potential warning sign that demands comprehensive attention from authorities. The government’s ability to maintain religious harmony while ensuring free and fair elections will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers in the coming months.