Islami Andolon Bangladesh staged demonstration in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital on Friday demanding capital punishment to former minister Abdul Latif Siddique for making derogatory comments about Hajj, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Tablig Jammat.

Leaders and activists of the Islamist party gathered in front of the north gate of the mosque and staged demonstration there at noon.

After the Jumma prayers, they blockade the road to hold a grand rally at the Paltan intersection. The rally is being held till filing of this report at 3:10pm

Additional police have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.

Earlier on November 25, police arrested Latif Siddique upon his surrender at Dhanmondi Police Station and he was sent to jail on the same day. 

Latif Siddique is facing 22 cases filed in 18 districts for his 'disparaging' comments.

Several arrest warrants have also been issued against him.

On September 28,  Latif Siddique made disparaging remarks about hajj, one of the main pillars of Islam, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Tablig Jamaat at a views-exchange meeting with expatriates from Tangail in New York.

Later, he was dropped from the cabinet and expelled from the ruling Awami League for his derogatory comments.

TF/LY