Latif Siddique dropped from cabinet, finally

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Abdul Latif Siddique was finally dropped from the cabinet Sunday, two weeks after his derogatory comments against hajj and Tablig Jamaat, reports UNB.
President Abdul Hamid put an end to Latif's appointment as minister on the advice of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Cabinet secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said this while talking to reporters at a press briefing following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's meeting with the President at Bangabhaban.
He also read out a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division to this end.
As per the notification, the President ordered the termination of the minister from the cabinet according to Article 58 (1) © of the constitution.
As per Rules 3 (4) of the Rules of Business, the Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministry will remain under the Prime Minister's direct jurisdiction until another person is given the portfolio.
Earlier, the Prime Minister at her meeting with the President advised him to terminate Abdul Latif Siddique's appointment as a minister as per Article 58 (2) of the constitution.
Asked why the minister was terminated when he had intended to voluntarily resign from the cabinet as media reports suggested, the cabinet secretary declined to make any comment about it.
Replying to another question whether there will be any reshuffle in the cabinet, Musharraf also expressed his ignorance about that.
Asked why the reason behind the action against Latif was not cited in the notification, he said it is not mandatory to mention the cause as per the constitution.
At a views-exchange meeting with expatriates from Tangail in New York on September 28 Latif Siddique made disparaging remarks about hajj, one of the main pillars of Islam, and Tablig Jamaat.
He said: "During hajj, too much of manpower is wasted. Over 20 lakh people have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj. They've no work, no production and they only cause deduction."
"Some 20 lakh Tablig Jamaat people get together annually who don't do any work except halting traffic movement across the country," he added.
Latif's anti-Islamic remarks drew widespread criticisms from various quarters, mainly the Islamic parties and BNP, triggering countrywide protests.
On October 3, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a press conference affirmed that a process was underway to remove Abdul Latif Siddique from the cabinet as well as her party.
She also said it is not the government but Latif Siddique is in discomfort for his unacceptable remarks, and he will have to pay the price for this.
A report by bdnews24.com adds, earlier the Prime Minister hinted to dropping him after her return from a long visit to the US and UK.
During a press conference on Oct 3, Sheikh Hasina said that Siddique will not be in her Cabinet.
She had then said the government will not be held to account for anyone's 'inconsiderate remarks'.
Over two dozen cases have been filed against the Latif at different courts in several districts of Bangladesh, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments.
The BNP and many Islamist organisations demanded Siddique's immediate arrest. The BNP had also asked the government to punish him under the law.