Different Islamic parties and organizations yesterday gave ultimatums to the government to arrest the sacked minister, Abdul Latif Siddique by Thursday otherwise they threatened to tougher movement including enforcing non-stop hartal.
Leaders of the organizations made the ultimatums a day after the release of Latif Siddique, who obtained bail in all cases filed against him for hurting religious sentiment.Ahmed Shafi, ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, a qaomi madrasha based Islamic organization, in a statement gave an ultimatum to arrest the former post and telecommunications minister by Thursday.
“Otherwise, Hefazat-e-Islam will stage demonstration across the country on Friday,” said the statement issued by Hefazat leaders including its ameer Ahmed Shafi.
In the statement, Hefazat leaders accused the government of taking side for the atheists’ forces by deceiving Muslim devotees through releasing Latif Siddique, who made derogatory remarks against Islam.
The statement alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to create instability in the country in a planned manner by using courts.
The Hefazat leaders said that they have full respect to the law but they do not want the government to take such a step without far sight that may hamper the law and order.
“The country’s people have become aggrieved by the government decision. The government will have to take the responsibility if any untoward incident takes place,” the statement warned.
The leaders further said no atheist disrespectful to Islam would be spared and Hefazat would show zero tolerance in this regard.
They called upon the government to fulfill the mass demand of Muslims by executing Latif Siddique.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish yesterday termed Latif Siddique as enemy of Prophet Mohammed (SM) and demanded his death penalty.
Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, secretary general of the organization made the demand while addressing a rally prior to a procession in the city.
City unit of Khelafat Majlish brought out the procession protesting the release of Latif Siddique.
Presided over by Maulana Enamul Haque, the rally was also addressed among others, by Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed, Maulana Abu Sayeed, Dr GM Mehrullah and Azizur Rahman Helal.
Meanwhile, Islami Oikya Jote yesterday also demanded the arrest of Latif Siddique by Thursday otherwise they would stage demonstration on Friday and announce greater programme including hartal.
The decision was taken at a meeting of Majlish-e-Shura of IOJ held at Lalbagh office with its chairman Maulana Abdul Latif Nezami in the chair.
Latif Siddique was released on Monday afternoon days after he had obtained bail in all cases filed against him for hurting religious sentiment.
The High Court on June 23 granted bail to Latif Siddique in 10 cases filed in Dhaka, Chittagong, Laxmipur and Chapainawabganj districts for his disparaging remarks on hajj and Tablig Jamaat.
Besides, the court suspended all the proceedings of the 10 cases for six months, and issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the proceedings of the cases should not be cancelled.
Earlier on May 25, the same HC bench granted bail to Latif Siddique in seven cases filed in Dhaka and Narayanganj for his disparaging remarks on hajj and Tablig Jamaat.
On September 28 last year, at a views-exchange meeting with expatriates from Tangail in New York, Latif Siddique made disparaging remarks about hajj, one of the main pillars of Islam, and Tablig Jamaat.
His remarks triggered widespread criticisms both at home and abroad.
Latif Siddique was dropped from the cabinet and expelled from Awami League for his derogatory comments.
He was shown arrested by the police on November 25 last year in one of the seven cases filed against him in Dhaka for his disparaging remarks on hajj and Tablig Jamaat. – Staff Reporter
