Kolkata Correspondent:
Former MP AKM Bahauddin Bahar and his daughter, former Comilla City Corporation Mayor Tahsin Bahar Shuchan, have been released by the Kolkata Police after being detained overnight. Multiple sources have said that the Rajarhat Police Station arrested them on Saturday (August 23) night.
A source close to the incident said that after being detained, Bahar and his daughter were released through close communication between Central Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier on Saturday evening, a young woman named Purnima Rani Shil Lagnajita posted about Bahar on social media Facebook. In the post, she complained,
“The Bangladesh Secretariat attacked the Dhaka Hindu community. And why is Awami League leader Bahar Uddin Bahar, who led a procession against the Indian government and Modi’s government, roaming on Indian soil?”
He further wrote,
“Bahar Uddin Bahar was behind the Durga Puja attack in Bangladesh in 2021. He created tension by placing the Quran in the puja mandap, which led to riots across the country. However, he is now hiding with his daughter in Rajarhat New Town, Kolkata.”
Immediately after this post, the police of Rajarhat police station in Kolkata arrested Bahar and his daughter. However, it is reported that they were released after prolonged interrogation due to political influence.
The Indian police have not officially commented on this matter. However, the incident has sparked widespread discussion in local political circles. Many people, especially on social media, have raised questions – why a former Bangladeshi MP and his daughter are roaming freely on Indian soil despite such serious allegations due to political influence.
Local analysts believe that the incident will be an uncomfortable example of Bangladesh-India political relations.
It could not be confirmed whether Bahar and his daughter are currently in Kolkata.