On March 7, 2025, thousands of supporters of the banned Islamist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir took to the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in a large-scale demonstration called the "March for Khilafat," demanding the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate. The rally, which began near the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque following Friday prayers, saw protesters chanting slogans like "Khilafat, Khilafat" as they moved through the capital’s streets. The march was unexpected for many, given that Hizb ut-Tahrir has been outlawed in Bangladesh since 2009 due to its radical Islamist ideology and alleged links to extremist activities.
Despite prior warnings from law enforcement against any public gatherings organized by banned groups, thousands of activists participated in the protest, attempting to push past security barricades set up by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. In response, security forces used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the demonstrators, leading to violent clashes that caused disruptions in traffic and daily life in the surrounding areas. Reports indicate that local residents were forced to seek shelter as tensions escalated between protesters and the police.
The large-scale protest and subsequent clashes have reignited concerns about the increasing visibility and boldness of radical Islamist groups in Bangladesh, particularly at a time of political transition in the country. The protest comes months after the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was forced to flee Bangladesh in August 2024 following mass anti-government demonstrations. Under Hasina’s leadership, the government had taken a strong stance against Islamist extremism, banning groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir and cracking down on their activities. However, since the establishment of an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, political analysts suggest that extremist organizations have begun to regroup and reassert their presence in the public sphere.
A former minister from the Hasina government, Mohammad A Arafat, expressed deep concern over the rise of Islamist activities under the Yunus administration. In a social media post, Arafat stated that Bangladesh was on the path toward "Talibanisation" due to the lenient stance taken by the current government toward radical groups. He warned that organizations like Hizb ut-Tahrir, which had actively opposed Hasina’s government in the past, were now operating with greater confidence, capitalizing on the political uncertainty in the country.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, founded in Jerusalem in 1953, is a global Islamist movement that seeks to unite Muslim-majority nations under a single Islamic governance system. Although the group claims to advocate for its goals through nonviolent means, it has been banned in several countries due to its radical ideology and suspected involvement in extremist activities. In Bangladesh, the organization was outlawed in 2009, with authorities accusing it of inciting extremism and posing a significant security threat. Despite the ban, the group has continued to operate underground, using social media, distributing leaflets, and secretly organizing protests to spread its message.
The resurgence of Islamist groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir has also raised concerns beyond Bangladesh, particularly in neighboring India. The Indian government classified Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization in October 2024 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). In February 2025, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two suspected Hizb ut-Tahrir operatives from Tamil Nadu, accusing them of conspiring to propagate the organization’s ideology and plotting to overthrow the government through violent jihad. The Indian authorities have long warned about the potential for Islamist groups in Bangladesh to have cross-border implications, with security experts cautioning that a rise in radical activities in Bangladesh could pose a threat to India’s internal security.
Political analysts in Bangladesh believe that the growing presence of radical organizations is linked to the shifting political landscape. According to Dhaka University professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Islamist groups have taken advantage of the power vacuum left by Hasina’s departure and are now making inroads into the country’s political and social structures. Kalimullah noted that groups such as Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and even outlawed organizations like Hizb ut-Tahrir have gained more visibility in recent months, holding public gatherings, distributing propaganda materials, and even organizing press conferences.
The growing influence of radical Islamist factions in Bangladesh poses significant challenges for the country’s future. Analysts warn that if these organizations continue to operate freely, they could undermine the country’s secular governance structure and further complicate the already volatile political climate. The interim government under Muhammad Yunus now faces the difficult task of maintaining political stability while ensuring that extremist elements do not gain further ground.
Meanwhile, security forces in Bangladesh have increased surveillance around key locations in Dhaka, including major mosques and public squares, in an attempt to prevent further unrest. Videos circulating on social media show the heavy police presence and ongoing tensions in the aftermath of the March 7 clashes. Despite the crackdown, it remains to be seen how the interim government will handle the growing challenge posed by radical Islamist groups in the months ahead.
