Olema League demands punishment to Gaffar Chy

Bangladesh Awami Olama League demanded on Tuesday eminent expatriate journalist and columnist Adbul Gaffar Chowdhury be punished for his remarks that hurt the sentiments of the country's majority Muslim population, reports UNB.

The demand was raised at a human chain at the National Press Club.  Some 13 other Islamist parties joined the programme and expressed solidarity with the demand.

Chaired by the Olama League's president Moulana Akhter Hossain Bukhari, the discussion was also addressed by general secretary of the organisation Maulana Md Abul Hassan Sheikh Shariatpuri and president of the Sammilito Islamic Gobeshona Parishad Maulana Md Abdus Sattar.

According to different media reports, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury on July 3 made various derogatory comments on Allah, Islam and Muslims in a discussion on 'Bangladesh: Past, Present and Future' at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York.

Speaking at the programme, Maulana Akhter Hossain Bukhari said Abdul Gaffar Chowdury's comments were 'a sheer attack on Allah, Islam and Muslims'. Bangladeshi Muslims will never tolerate such abusive remarks, he continued.

He demanded punishment to Gaffar Chowdhury by putting him on the dock after bringing him back in Bangladesh.

Terming Gaffar Chowdhury 'nastik' and 'murtad', Akhter Hossain also said if the government ensures exemplary punishment to such individuals, no one will attempt to raise their voice against Islam and Allah.