Ulema body's views go against constitution
The ulema committee's recommendations to curb the rights of women are totally unconstitutional since the constitution of Bangladesh guarantees equal rights for women, speakers said at a roundtable in the city yesterday.
They also pointed out that a radical Islamist group, patronised by anti-liberation war elements and war criminals in the country, are creating a noise against the women's development policy to distract people from the issue of trial of war criminals.
The speakers were addressing a roundtable discussion on the 'National Women Development Policy' organised by the Left Democratic Front at Mukti Bhaban at city's Purana Paltan.
Moderated by Ruhin Hossein Prince, coordinator of the Left Democratic Front, the discussion was addressed by Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Dilip Barua, Syed Abul Maksud, Abdus Samad, Ajay Roy, Ziaul Hasan, among others.
The speakers criticised the caretaker government for their soft approach towards radical Islamist organisations that had staged violent protests against the National Women Development Policy.
They warned that Bangladesh would be reverting to the dark ages if demands of such radical outfits were heeded. No development can take place in the country if such radical forces are not dealt with a strong hand, they added.
Mujahidul Islam Selim said, "Some identified opportunists are conducting this propaganda against the women development policy by trying to say that this policy goes against Islam."
"The radical outfits are talking against the women development policy at a time when the demand for trial of war criminals is gaining momentum in the country," he said adding, “they are doing so to divert the people's attention from trial.
"It's part of their strategy to save their own lives," Selim pointed out.
Selim also added that all recommendations made by the ulema committee go against the constitution.
Syed Abul Maksud expressed hope that the government will not bow to radical forces.
Speakers pointed out that radical forces are trying to turn the Baitul Mukarram mosque into a place like the Red Mosque in Pakistan. Speakers also called on all to organise counter movements against the Islamist forces and thus resist them.
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