bdnews24.com :
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has warned the Awami League of serious consequences of any political connection with Hefazat-e Islam.
After the removal of a statue from the Supreme Court premises following the radical Islamist group’s demand, Inu says “links with the organisation will be suicidal”.
“Protect and preserve all the sculptures. Please foil the conspiracy hatched by the communal political groups led by Hefazati Tentul Hujur against sculptures,” said Inu.
Hefazat 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 Apr 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised measures to be taken to remove the Lady Justice statue from the Supreme Court.
It was removed from the main building complex of the court and reinstalled in front of the annex building on Saturday.
JaSoD, a key ally of the Awami League, backed down from criticism of the move that has drawn howls of protests from other politicians, academicians, and secular activists.
Information Minister Inu, like Awami League leader Obaidul Quader and BNP leader Moudud Ahmed, said the government had nothing to do with the removal.
But speaking at a rally in front of the National Press Club on Sunday, the JaSoD president said that it was the government’s duty to preserve all the sculptures, history, tradition, culture, arts and literature. He said, he hoped the government would perform this ‘constitutional duty’ to let everyone practise arts and literature without any hindrance.
He urged everyone to suppress strongly ‘political plots by religious hardliners’. “Any transaction with Hifazat-e Islam, Tentul Hujur group, Razakars, and communal organisations will be suicidal for Bangladesh. It will harm the Liberation War spirit,” he added.
