Radical Islamists on Saturday threatened to stay in Motijheel until the ‘atheist bloggers are hanged’.
“We will not go back to our homes till the realisation of our demand,” said some leaders of Hefajat-e Islam while delivering speeches during the first session of a rally.
The leaders also branded prominent writer Muntasir Mamun, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote President Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu and Gonojagoron Mancha spokesperson Imran H Sarker as “atheist” and demanded their immediate arrest.
Dhaka’s business hub Motijheel turned into a human sea as thousands of people poured into the area to join a rally of radical Islamist organisation Hefajat-e Islam.
The rally started around 11:00am through recitation from the Quran.
Noor Hossain Kashemi, Dhaka city ameer and joint convenor of Hefajat, is leading the rally.
Among others, Junaid Babunagari, secretary general of the organisation, is present at the makeshift podium.
Hefajat has received permission for the rally to voice their 13-point demand including punishment of some bloggers for “defaming” Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
The Shapla Chattar gathering spilled onto adjoining areas including Jatiya Press Club Ittefaq intersection, Arambagh, Dainik Bangla intersection and Fakirerpool areas.
Hefajat will announce the next course of action from the rally to realise its demands.
Prior to start of the rally, the mid-level leaders of the group delivered their speeches demanding punishment to the bloggers.
Despite attempts to thwart the Hefajat’s programme, hundreds of its supporters have already assembled at Motijheel.
Tension has been brewing over the standoff between Hefajat and the pro-hartal organisation and Shahbagh supporters opposing the radical Islamists programme.
Since morning, radical Islamists kept marching towards their rally venue from different parts of the capital, defying blockades and hartal amid a tense situation, reported our correspondent covering the event.
Activists of the 23 pro-liberation organisations who have been enforcing the 24-hour hartal since 6:00pm took position at 20 points in the city to resist the activists of radical Islamists from joining their rally.