Hartal on Oct 26 unless Latif Siddiqui held: Islamist parties

Some Islamist parties have threatened to enforce a daylong hartal (shutdown) across the country on October 26 if former telecom minister Latif Siddiqui is not arrested by Oct 22 for his rant on Holy Hajj and Tabligh Jamaat. Four Islamist parties, under the banner of Sammilito Islami Dal Samuho, issued the threat on Thursday setting the Oct 22 deadline for the authorities to arrest Siddiqui, who has reportedly gone to India from the USA a few days ago after making derogatory comments on Holy Hajj and Tabligh while addressing a programme in New York on September 29. Mawlana Zafrullah Khan, secretary general of the coalition, announced the nationwide 23-hour general strike programme. Siddiqui, also a leader of Awami League, was sacked as posts, telecommunications and information and communication technology (ITC) minister on Sunday (Oct 12) and subsequently removed as a presidium member of the ruling party. Besides, the party show caused him asking him to explain in writing within 1 week as to why his primary membership of the party would not be cancelled for his anti-religious remarks hurting the sentiments of the Muslim, according to private TV channels.