Awami League, BNP, and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders shared a platform in Sirajganj’s Chouhali to denounce Abdul Latif Siddique’s comments on Hajj.
Khashkaulia Siddique Fazil Madrasa Principal Maolana Ashraf Ali presided over the meeting at the Chouhali Degree College ground on Thursday noon.
Former Upazila Awami League president Hazrat Ali Master, BNP Upazila president Anwar Hossain, Jamaat Upazila president Amir Abdul Halim and seceretary Robiul Islam demanded Latif Siddique’s punishment.
Islami Andolon president Atab Uddin, Khelafat Andolon’s leader Maolana Abdul Mannan, Juba League general secretary Babul Molla, Chhatra Andolon’s Shihab Uddin, Awami League leader Idris Ali and Kazi Ruhul Amin also spoke.
The party activists took out a protest march before the rally began.
Siddique, who has been at the helm of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, drew widespread condemnation after he criticised the Hajj and pilgrimage Tabligh Jamaat at a New York programme on Sept 28.
“So much manpower is wasted over Hajj. Two million people are now in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. They have no work or role in production. They only eat and go abroad using the country’s money,” he said.
The video clip of him making the remark went viral on social media, prompting certain Islamist parties to threaten agitation demanding Siddique’s arrest.
On her return from the United States, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said told the press that Latif Siddique would be removed from the cabinet and his expulsion from the Awami League would be discussed at a party forum.
Source: Bd news24