Latif Siddique freed on bail

Staff Reporter :Ex-minister and Awami League leader Abdul Latif Siddique has been freed from jail. He was released on Monday after he had obtained bail in 17 cases filed against him for hurting people’s religious sentiment. Senior Superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail Farman Ali told media that Latif Siddique was released from the prison cell of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the afternoon after his release order had reached the authorities. On December 6 last year, the former minister was taken to the BSMMU from Dhaka Central Jail after he fell sick.The High Court on June 23 granted ad-interim bail to him in more than 10 cases. On May 25, the same court granted him bail in seven other cases. At least 28 cases were filed against the AL leader for his anti-Islamic comments.Latif Siddiqui, the then telecommunication minister, in a programme in the USA on September 28 last year made disparaging remarks about Hajj, Prophet Muhammad (Sm) and the Tablig Jamaat. His remarks triggered widespread criticisms both at home and abroad. Amid widespread protest, the cases were filed in Dhaka and several other districts. Latif Siddique was sent to the jail on November 25 in 2014 after he surrendered to the court. He also lost his party post. However, he did not lose his membership of the Parliament although he was dismissed from the Cabinet. Hefazat-e-Islam and some other Islamic platforms protested and condemned the release of Latif Siddique. They demanded his arrest again and exemplary punishment also. Otherwise, they warned of waging tougher movement. They came down heavily on the government for his release. The Islamic parties have been demanding his capital punishment.Leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam criticised the government and said that the government has taken the holy month of Ramzan as chance for his release. The Hefazat leaders made the allegation at an Iftar party held at the Baridhara Madrasah in the city. Dhaka city unit Ameer of the platform Maulana Noor Hossain Quashemi presided over the function. “Latif Siddiqui is an atheist. We urge the government to arrest him again and ensure his capital punishment. Otherwise, we will be compelled to launch fresh street movement,” said Noor Hossain Quashemi. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis accused the government of standing beside atheists. Ameer of the party Maulana Habibur Rahman and its Secretary General Maulana Mahfuzul Haque in a joint statement called for Latif Siddique’s arrest again in no loss of time. Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Sammilito Ulema-Mashayekh Parishad and some other Islamic parties and organisations also protested and condemned the release of Latif Siddique. Meanwhile, former President of Dhaka Metropolitan Bar Association Advocate ANM Abed Raza, who filed a case against Latif Siddique in Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, alleged that Latif Siddue has been released with the support of the government. He said, “All the cases were filed by the people. The government did not file any case. Even the government did not stand for the cases filed by the common people. It proves that the government purposefully released Latif Siddique,” he said.