Hossain Gazi, a human rights activist, has been accused of militant affiliations by a TV channel. The channel alleged that Gazi opened a Kharijite madrasa and trained Rohingya children in militancy, claiming he provided arms training to create a jihadi organization. They also described his residence as a ‘Rohingya house’.
Gazi, who is widely known for his social work in the Bansra area under Baruipur police station in South 24 Parganas, has denied the allegations and consulted his lawyer. He accused the channel, ‘R. Bangla’ of broadcasting fabricated and misleading information to tarnish his image.
Hossain Gazi resides in Hardaha village, where he lives in a modest house with tin walls and an asbestos roof. For over two decades, he has been actively involved in social service and human rights advocacy across West Bengal. Gazi holds prominent positions in several organizations, including serving as the State Secretary of the Desh Bachao Samajik Committee, an activist for Jamiat Ulema Hind, and the State Coordinator of CPDR Human Rights.
His humanitarian work has often transcended barriers of party, religion, and caste. In 2017, during the Rohingya refugee crisis, he provided shelter to around 40 refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. He built a small school to teach Bengali, English, and Arabic to refugee children and informed state authorities, including the Chief Minister and Governor, about the initiative. Investigations were conducted, and no legal issues arose. By 2018, the refugees had relocated, leaving behind only scattered toys in the empty schoolroom.
The allegations by ‘R. Bangla’ claim that Gazi ran a Kharijite madrasa and was involved in training Rohingya children for militancy. Gazi vehemently denied these accusations and said, “The claims are entirely false and baseless. I am not associated with any militant organization. If I were involved in illegal activities, I would not still be living in a broken tin house. I don’t own a Kharijite madrasa. This propaganda is an attack on my humanitarian efforts.”
Gazi further questioned the credibility of the accusations. “Let them provide evidence that any Rohingya linked to my work has been arrested for militancy or found with weapons. There is no basis for these claims,” he told The Observer Post.
Following the broadcast, police from Baruipur police station conducted a thorough investigation of Gazi’s residence and found nothing incriminating. Gazi has decided to take legal action against the channel for defamation and misinformation. “I have spoken to my lawyer. Propaganda cannot scare me. I have been involved in social work since 2003, and I will continue to stand by the people, no matter what,” he stated firmly.
Advocate Nurnobi Seikh of the Calcutta High Court condemned the TV channel’s reports. He told The Observer Post, “There are laws and courts in this country. Without evidence, the media has no right to convict a person. Accusing someone falsely for TRPs is a legal offence. The media cannot degrade someone’s social identity or spread false propaganda. Immediate legal action should be taken against such malpractice.”
Hossain Gazi has been at the forefront of several campaigns for justice, advocating for victims such as Priyanka Hansda, Biswajit Munda, Anis Khan, and Shabir Ali. His tireless efforts have helped many helpless individuals find justice. Despite the allegations, Gazi remains steadfast in his commitment to serving humanity, asserting, “I was, am, and will always be on the side of the people.”
