Hefajat-e-Islam at an event yesterday demanded exemplary punishment for those who demean Islam.

At an "Ulama Mashayekh" conference organised by Hefajat at Jatiya Press Club, it made a four-point demand in presence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who was the chief guest.

The other demands are the state declaring "Qadianis" as non-Muslims, release of arrested Hefajat leaders and scholars, and withdrawal of cases against them.

They also demanded action against people of the government who commented against the state's religion being Islam.

Starting the programme, Hefajat Secretary General Nurul Islam said he arranged the event after showing the demands to the home minister, who acknowledged that the demands are fine.

Hefajat held a public programme yesterday for the first time after nearly eight months, following the arrest of their leaders in an anti-Modi protest, which sparked violence in different parts of the country.

"In March, some unexpected events took place. Some intruders entered and incited the violence. Now we will move forward to realise our demands by maintaining law and order," said Nurul Islam.

He said many of the scholars already got released on bail and thanked the home minister for that.

Hefajat's new amir, Mohibullah Babunagari, the maternal uncle of Junayed Babunagari, was also present at the event. In a written statement, he said the government should enact an exemplary law for maligning Islam.

Talking at the programme, the home minister said the government will not enact any law that is against the Quran and Islam.

He said Hefajat claims itself to be a non-political party. So, they should always be careful about intruders.

"Many Hefajat leaders were arrested following the violence in March. Those who were really involved, are behind bars. We have no control in the judiciary," he continued.

The authorities are just facilitating bail for those who were not found to be involved with the incident primarily, he added.