Latif Siddique refused to stay in US, prefers ‘a Bengali environment’

Abdul Latif Siddique wants to stay either in Kolkata or in Shantiniketan to pursue research and study, not in New Delhi.

He told senior journalist Sukharanjan Dasgupta, recipient of the Swadhinata Padak, on Sunday he would prefer staying in a 'Bengali environment’ if he could not return to Bangladesh.

"I can go back because though I have lost everything, my parliament seat is intact and the Election Commission has not nullified it," Dasgupta quoted Siddique as saying.

The former telecoms minister said he was not interested in staying out of the country for 'too long'.

Dasgupta said it appeared he had been offered a stay in Delhi but the former telecom minister preferred Kolkata or Shantiniketan.

"Ektu porashona korte chai (I would like to study a bit),” is what he told old friend Dasgupta.

About the comments against the Hajj that created a furore, Siddique said: "I had spoken from an economic viewpoint, not to hurt religious feelings. How can poor people afford so much expenses but they try selling everything to do Hajj."

"I was quoted totally out of context,” he told the senior Indian journalist.