Islamist parties to hold rally Jan 9 demanding ‘blasphemy law’

Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), a key component in the BNP-led 20-party alliance, today announced to hold a “grand” rally in Dhaka on January 9 next year demanding enactment of “blasphemy law” keeping provision of capital punishment against blasphemers.

IOJ, an alliance of four Islamist party also demanded that the government try the sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique now behind bars under the blasphemy law.

Blasphemy law is a law limiting the freedom of speech and expression relating to blasphemy, or irreverence toward holy personages, religious artifacts, customs, or beliefs. This law forbids hate speech, the vilification of religion, or "religious insult".

In a press conference at its Lalbagh office, IOJ leaders threatened to wage non-stop hartal and blockade across the country if Latif Siddique comes out of jail on bail.

“Our primary demand for arresting atheist Abdul Latif Siddique has been implemented. But we are worried whether he comes out of jail through loopholes of existing laws,” Foyezullah, secretary general of IOJ said in a written statement.

“We will announce tougher movement on the day Abdul Latif Siddique comes out from jail,” he warned the government.

The date of IOJ’s rally on January 9 will coincide with the 20-party alliances’ planned anti-government movement as the opposition combine are taking preparation to wage tougher movement from first of January demanding holding of a fresh national election under a non-party administration.