Debate over the Legal Advisory Council; questions raised regarding Hiron’s political identity.
The ‘Bangladesh Legal Assistance Committee’ was recently formed to provide legal aid to Awami League leaders and activists. However, immediately following its inception, resentment and controversy arose within the party regarding the selection of its members. Grassroots activists allege that the committee includes individuals whose political past and current roles raise serious questions.
The inclusion of lawyer Mahbubur Rahman Hiron as a central member has sparked the most significant debate and criticism. A section of party members alleges that he has a history of involvement with Chhatra Shibir politics and subsequently adopted an opportunistic approach when joining the Awami League. They have also accused him of engaging in a ‘bail trade’ under the guise of providing legal assistance to Awami League leaders and activists in distress.
According to available information and allegations, after passing his HSC exams from Bhairab College in 2008, Hiron enrolled at the Mugda campus of Bangladesh Islami University. He is alleged to have been involved with Chhatra Shibir politics there. It is claimed that after entering the legal profession, he cultivated close ties with certain Awami League leaders and became active in the party’s politics.
Reports indicate that his public involvement in Awami League politics began during the 2023 national election, facilitated by his close association with the then-Member of Parliament for the Jashore-4 constituency. However, questions regarding his stance resurfaced following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. A social media post he made on August 8, praising the coordinators and advisors of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also drew significant attention.
Subsequently, as he became active again in providing legal aid to Awami League members, a faction of the party began questioning his role. Allegations have surfaced that he is coordinating with senior pro-BNP lawyers to facilitate financial transactions in exchange for securing bail for detained Awami League leaders and activists in the High Court. However, the veracity of these allegations could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, some Awami League leaders and activists have also raised questions about Hiron’s family’s political background. They claim that several members of his family have long been associated with the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatra Shibir. It is alleged that his father, former army member Ismail Molla, was a Jamaat activist. Furthermore, it is claimed that his second uncle, Maulana Mizanur Rahman Molla, served as the General Secretary of the Union-level Jamaat for a long period and is currently a *Rokon* (full-fledged member) of the Upazila-level Jamaat.
Several other family members also face allegations of involvement in Jamaat-Shibir politics. Consequently, questions have arisen among the grassroots ranks of the Awami League regarding Hiron’s political past, family background, and current role.
However, a senior Awami League leader views the controversy surrounding the committee differently. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he stated that committee formation is an ongoing process. He emphasized that there is no scope to undervalue those who stood by leaders and activists at great personal risk during difficult times; they, too, will be included in the committee in due course.
Addressing the allegations against Hiron, the leader noted that the party maintains a cautious stance regarding individuals linked to Jamaat-Shibir across various political groups. He added that if specific allegations surface against anyone, organizational action would be taken following a verification of their political history and family political background.
As a result, the controversy that has engulfed the ‘Bangladesh Legal Assistance Committee’—formed to provide legal support to leaders and activists—right from its inception has raised serious questions regarding the transparency of member selection and the vetting process.
