Hefajat threatens to run country

Hefajat-e Islam would “run the country” if their 13-point demand was not met by May 5, Moulana Ataullah Amin, joint secretary of Hefajat-e Islam's Dhaka city unit, told a meeting in the capital's Mohammadpur yesterday.
Meanwhile, Hefajat leaders, at a rally on Faridpur-Barisal highway at Bhanga crossing, threatened to initiate movement to overthrow the government if the demands were not met within the timeframe.
The meeting was organised demanding implementation of the demands, which include a law allowing for the death penalty for maligning Islam and stern punishment to those they call atheist bloggers.
Criticising atheist bloggers and demanding capital punishment for them under a new blasphemy law, they accused the government and some leftist oragnisations of running propaganda that Hefajat was antifeminist.
They claimed that women need to cover themselves up to ensure their own security and prevent harassment at workplaces and educational institutions.
Hefajat's movement was to protect the honour of women and it did not intend to keep women indoors, they claimed, adding that women should come and join their movement.