‘Don’t abuse religion for political gains: FM

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has urged the opposition not to try to exploit the religious sentiments for political gains.

“Bangladesh is a democratic country. Its people don’t want to move away from democracy,” she said addressing an awards ceremony at Chandpur Government Women College on Friday.

“So don’t try to get political mileage by misusing religion,” she said.

Radical Islamist group Hifazat-e Islam which is against the Shahbagh 'Ganajagaran Mancha' held a rally at Motijheel on Apr 6, aiming to push for its 13-point demand, including ‘a stop to infiltration of all alien culture, including shamelessness in the name of freedom of expression, ant-social activities, adultery, free mixing of man and woman and candle lighting’.

It also sought mandatory Islamic education, cancellation of the 'anti-Islamic' women policy and 'anti-religion' education policy — an agenda critics say would amount to the "Talibanisation" of Bangladesh.

Dipu Moni said, “We will stand against them who want to keep women in the corner of houses by religious edict. You all have to be alert as a vested quarter has arisen against freedom of women.”

The programme was addressed, among others, by Deputy Commissioner Ismail Hossain, Police Superintendent of Police Amir Zafar and Principal of the college Sadequr Rahman.