Hefazat-e-Islam yesterday again threatened tougher agitation against the government if their 13-point demands is not met by May 5, the day when the Islamist group is set to observe a Dhaka-blockade programme.
The warning came from a rally at Jamiyatul Falah Mosque ground in Chittagong, organised as part of a series of rallies across the country to drum up support for the Dhaka siege programme. Several thousand supporters attended the rally, presided by Hefazat chief Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi.
Secretary General Junayed Babunagari, and central leaders Maulana Mohibullah Babunagari, Mainuddin Ruhi and Mufti Izharul Islam also addressed the rally.
Shafi claimed: “We are not coming to capture power. It is our responsibility to save Islam and the Muslims of the country.”
He, however, urged the prime minister to place the demands in parliament and pass them into law.
Other speakers at the rally urged the government to stand in favour of Islam instead of siding with the “atheists."
Shafi said: “The 13-point demands are meant to safeguard the country’s independence and its Muslims from the clutches of atheists. Muslims account for 80% of the entire population of Bangladesh. So, Muslims are now the decisive force to elect the government in the next general elections.”
The Hefazat leaders also demanded unconditional release of Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman and threatened to paralyse the country if he was not released immediately.
