Different Islamic parties brought out a huge protest procession from Baitul Mukarram after Jum'a prayers on Friday demanding capital punishment for minister Abdul Latif Siddique for his recent anti-Islamic comments, reports UNB.
Islamic parties like Hefajat-e-Islam, Islami Andolon, Dawat-e-Tablig and Khelafat Majlish under the banner of 'Sammilita Islami Dal' 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.
A large number of police and Rab members were deployed in the area as many devotees of Friday prayers also the joined the protest programme.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology 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 Awami League, triggered widespread criticisms both at home and abroad, embarrassing the government.
Meanwhile, news from Narayanganj adds, Local leaders of Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh Friday declared a Tk 0.5 million bounty on the head of Abdul Latif Siddique for his recent defamatory remarks.
They came up with the announcement at a rally arranged by the Islamist group's district unit on the Railway Jam-e Masjid premises in the city's DIT commercial area.
The only punishment Latif deserves for his insulting remarks against hajj, Prophet (SM) and Tablig Jamaat is "beheading in public", the Hefajat leaders said, announcing that an amount of Tk 5 lakh will be given to the person who will be able to bring his head.
Acting ameer of district Hefajat Abdul Quader, its leaders Mufti Shahidullah, Maulana Ferdausur Rahman, former vice-president of Narayanganj University College Mashiur Rahman Pavel, district BNP president Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker and city Jubo Dal convener Maksudul Alam Khandaker, among others, spoke at the programme.
In his speech, Abdul Quader said the devout Muslims will bring Abdul Latif to justice if the government does not try him for his crimes. "He'll be awarded a harsh punishment after setting up a court at Mukti Sharani in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj."