Different Islamic parties brought out a huge protest procession from Baitul Mukarram after Jumm’a prayers demanding capital punishment of minister Abdul Latif Siddique for his recent anti-Islamic comments.
In the name of ‘Sammilita Islami Dalsamuho’ several Islamist parties including Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Sammilito Olama Mashayekh Parishad, Dawat-e-Tablig and Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Madrasa Chhatra Songram Parishad, Nezam-e-Islami and Jamaat-e-Ulama Islam Bangladesh brought out the procession with brooms and shoes from the north gate of the national mosque which paraded Paltan and Motijheel areas.
They chanted slogans demanding arrest and capital punishment of Latif Siddique for his derogatory comments that hurt the religious sentiment of Muslims.
In the protest programme secretary general of Sammilita Islami Dalsamuho Muhammad Zafrullah Khan again warned of enforcing a nationwide shutdown on October 26 if the government does not arrest Latif within October 15.
A large number of police and RAB members were deployed in the area as many devotees of the Jumma prayers also joined in the protest programme.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology minister Latif Siddique made derogatory remarks against hajj and Tablig Jamaat at a views-exchange meeting with expatriates from Tangail in New York on September 28.
The remarks made by Siddique, also presidium member of the Awami League, triggered widespread criticisms both at home and abroad, embarrassing the government.
