Arrest warrant issued against Latif Siddiqui

A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against Abdul Latif Siddiqui in a case accusing him of hurting religious sentiments because he did not appear in person. Metropolitan Magistrate Shahriar Mahmud Adnan issued the warrant on Wednesday after Siddiqui failed to appear before his court. It had earlier summoned him in the case filed on October 2 by lawyer Shah Alam. Siddiqui drew widespread condemnation after making derogatory comments on Holy Hajj and Tabligh Jamaat at a programme in New York on September 28. A video clip of his rant against Holy Hajj and Tabligh Jamaat kicked up a storm as it went viral on the internet. Amid the furore, Siddiqui lost his Cabinet post as telecommunications minister and also he lost his position as presidium member of the Awami League. On Tuesday, the AL showcaused him seeking explanation on why his primary membership of the party would not be cancelled. Now in Kolkata, Siddiqui on Tuesday he will reply to the show-cause ‘as and when I get it and within the time limit mentioned’, according to bdnews24.com.