Staff Reporter :Thousands of supporters of Islamic parties on Friday staged demonstrations across the country demanding capital punishment of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui for his derogatory comments on Hajj, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Tablig Jamaat. Under the banner of Sammilito Islami Dal Samuho, a platform of several Islamic parties, hundreds of their supporters brought out a procession from the north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after the Juma prayers. After parading the Dainik Bangla intersection to the National Press Club, the processionists held a rally again in the north gate of Bailtul Mukarram mosque where Maulana Jafrullah Khan and Dr Khalilur Rahman Madani, among others, spoke on the occasion. The speakers urged the government to arrest Latif Siddiqui before October 15. Otherwise, they threatened to enforce hartal on October 26 and tougher street programme. They also urged the government to ensure capital punishment to Latif Siddiqui. Jamiyate Ulama Islam Bangladesh and Bangladesh Madrasa Chhatra Songram Parishad also brought out separate processions in the city. Additional law enforcers were deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident.Local people also brought out a procession in the constituency of Latif Siddique (Tangail-4) and raised the demand of his capital punishment. Thousands of people from adjoining areas joined the procession at Kalihati upazila headquarters. After the procession, a rally was held in front of Kalihati Degree College. Leader of different political parties and organisations addressed the rally. The devotees also brought out a procession at Bhuapur upazila in Tangail and demanded of capital punishment to Siddiqui. The leaders and workers of Juba League, the youth body of the ruling Awami League, led by convener of Upazila Juba League set the effigy of Latif Siddiqui on fire. Demonstrations were also staged in other parts of the country. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi expatriates also staged demonstrations in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and some other countries protesting the comments of Latif Siddiqui. They demanded capital punishment to Latif Siddiqui.
