Readers’ Forum

Withdraw hartal, please

Some Islam oriented political parties have called for dawn to dusk shutdown on October 26 in protest against the government’s lack of initiative to bring back expelled Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui to home for justice. I, personally, oppose this hartal and request the leaders of the Islamic parties to reverse their decision for several reasons.
The Awami League government has already dismissed Latif Siddiqui from the Council of Ministers and the party Presidium, and served show-cause notice on him to explain as to why he should not be expelled from the party’s primary membership ceaselessly. Moreover, there have been a number of cases lodged against Latif Siddiqui and a court issued warrant of arrest order twice against him.
In such situation, we should wait till the final decision of the Awami League about his party membership. It must be remembered that Islam is the nominated religion of Allah and no power can stop its conquest. We must be prudent in taking political decisions and make not such mistakes, as weaken our strength, and courage departs.
As such, the hartal should be withdrawn in the interest of all.

Ameer Hamzah
Dhaka