Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has issued a strong statement cautioning authorities not to arrest or harass innocent critics in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. The group’s leaders, Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Allama Sajedur Rahman, said they oppose violence but demanded the immediate release of those detained without cause.

In their media statement, the leaders accused the two newspapers of long-standing bias and alleged collaboration with foreign interests. They criticized the government’s handling of the arrests and condemned the mention of a detainee’s madrasa background in an official press release as discriminatory. Hefazat also recalled earlier crackdowns on media outlets and claimed that civil society’s silence during those times had weakened moral accountability.

The statement reflects growing tension between religious groups and sections of the media in Bangladesh. Analysts suggest the remarks could further polarize public discourse and complicate ongoing investigations into the alleged attacks.