BNP wants Siddique out

The BNP-led alliance says it will go for a massive agitation after the Durga Puja and Eid, if the government does not remove Abdul Latif Siddique from the Cabinet and Parliament.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 1 Oct 2014, 07:57 AM
Updated : 2 Oct 2014, 04:31 AM

BNP's acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the government was creating a 'smokescreen' to save the telecoms minister -- and insisted that it will not be tolerated.

"We are not announcing any agitation now due to the Eid and Durga Puja. We want Abdul Latif Siddique to be removed from the Cabinet and Parliament. Or else, we will have to start a massive agitation after the Eid and Puja," he told a briefing by the 20-Party alliance on Wednesday.

The senior BNP leader said that several media ran reports of Siddique's removal on Tuesday, but it was 'baseless'.

"Cabinet Secretary has said that he does not know anything about it. The prime minister has not informed him on it. We believe, the government is creating a smokescreen over the issue in an effort save themselves from people's wrath on such a sensitive issue," said Mirza Fakhrul.

The senior Awami League leader has been mired in controversy after his comments about the Hajj and Tabligh at an event in New York on Sunday.

The telecoms minister said that he was strongly against both Hajj and Tabligh Jamaat and also against Jamaat-e-Islami.

A video clip of his speech at the event spread over the internet kicking up a storm. The Hajj remark in particular touched some raw nerves.

"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,” Siddique was heard saying in the video.

After the social media reacted, political parties began to issue reactions as well.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mirza Fakhrul said, “The top tier of the government has always encouraged repulsive statements by Siddique. That is why he has crossed all limits and rubbished the sacred Hajj and the prophet.”

Hifazat-e Islam called for his hanging, and threatened to throw the nation into anarchy if he was not sacked within 24 hours.

Jamaat-e-Islami's reaction was relatively low-key as it called for an apology from Siddique.

Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, which is an ideological opponent of Hifazat, has also called for his dismissal.

BNP chief Khaleda Zia discussed the issue with senior leaders of the BNP-led alliance on Tuesday night. Wednesday's media briefing was meant to publicise the decisions taken at that meeting.

"The comments made by Abdul Latif Siddique over the Hajj and the Prophet are repugnant. He has severely hurt the sentiments of millions of religious people," Fakhrul said at the briefing on Wednesday.

In an interview given to the BBC Bangla from Mexico on Tuesday, Siddique stood by his remarks.

“I made the comments on Hajj as a free and modern man.”

He told the BBC resigning was out of question despite all the pressures.

“I will do nothing. I will carry out the order that the prime minister gives me,” he said.

Mirza Fakhrul shot back at the ruling party by saying on Wednesday that the statements revealed the 'true colours' of the Awami League.

"We think that this illegal government cannot evade the liability of these statements. Latif Siddique is still saying that he will stand by his remarks."

The senior BNP leader also demanded Siddique's arrest.