JaSoD, CPB slate PM for pandering to Hifazat

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has come under attack from leftist parties for bowing to demands of radical organisations like Hifazat-e Islam.

JaSoD and CPB have warned her that the radicals will declare war against Bangladesh if they are afforded the slightest space.

Bangladesh Students' Union, the student front of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, has also protested against the prime minister supporting the demands.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal or JaSoD in a statement on Wednesday objected to Hasina approving of the demand for removal of the statue from the Supreme Court premises and her recognising the top Qawmi madrasa degree as post-graduate.

In its statement, JaSoD, a partner of the current ruling coalition, urged the people to stand against Hifazat, terming it 'a group of Tentul Hujur'.

Hifazat chief Shah Ahmed Shafi is often called 'Tentul Hujur' by his critics because he once had compared women to 'Tentul' (tamarind).

In a meeting with Qawmi madrasa representatives, including Shafi, at the Ganabhaban on Tuesday, the prime minister promised measures to remove the statue from the Supreme Court.

She also announced government recognition of the top Qawmi madrasa degree.

Shafi's Hifazat, Awami Olama League, and several other Islamist organisations have been demanding the removal of the Lady Justice statue from the apex court premises.

Olama League in its statements on the demand attacked Information Minister and JaSoD chief Hasanul Haq Inu along with Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid.

JaSoD, led by Inu and Shirin Akhter, MP, said in its statement that the 'Tentul Hujur Group is a dark force against' Bangladesh's independence, Liberation War, Language Movement and all other democratic and progressive movements.

It termed them the 'Bangladesh version of Taliban, Islamic State and al-Qaeda'.

"They will declare war against the Bangladesh state and the Constitution again if they are indulged to the smallest degree," the statement said.

Hifazat carried out mayhem in Dhaka's Motijheel after calling a rally demanding punishment of 'atheist bloggers' in 2013. Security forces flushed them out later.

That was when Shafi made the comparison between women and tamarind.

Hifazat was threatening another rally in Motijheel if their demand of removing the statue was not met.

In a statement, CPB said Hasina was going against the spirit of Liberation War on the issue.

"The government is following a policy of surrendering itself before communalism and communal forces to develop a friendship with them. This policy will destroy the remaining achievements of the Liberation War and it will be extremely suicidal," the CPB, once an ally of the Awami League, said.

CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim and General Secretary Syed Abu Zafar Ahmed said in the statement that the party thinks such decisions will create a ground for militancy to spread in Bangladesh.

Students' Union leaders, speaking at a press conference at Dhaka University, said the prime minister approving of the demands of Hifazat-like organisations will fuel militancy.