BNP demands punishment of Latif Siddique

Denouncing the derogatory remark by Posts and Telecommunications Minister Abdul Latif Siddique against holy Hajj, BNP Tuesday demanded that the minister be removed from the cabinet immediately, reports UNB.

Party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the demand in separate programmes.

They also wanted Latif to be punished for the remark as it hurt the religious sentiment of millions of Muslims.

"We condemn the minister's comment against one of the five pillars of Islam. We demand that the government immediately remove him from the cabinet and bring him to justice," said Nazrul Islam Khan.

He was talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman together with the leaders and activists of Sramik Dal of Dhaka city north and south units.

Addressing a press briefing at his party's Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi said Latif has hurt the religious sentiment of millions of Muslims across the globe.

He said the ruling party minister has exposed Awami League's true colour with his comment against the holy Hajj.

Meanwhile, Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh in a statement on Monday also demanded the minister be removed from the cabinet in 24 hours.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mujibur Rahman also demanded apology by the minister and withdrawal of his remarks.