Leaders of Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), a component of the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance, yesterday urged the government to withdraw the ban on political gatherings in the capital immediately, calling such a restriction “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”.
Addressing a press conference at its headquarters at Lalbagh Madrasa in the city, they also alleged that in the name of fighting terrorism, the government was harassing madrasa teachers and students.
Recently, police have raided several madrasas across the country and seized the knives which were gathered there for slaughtering of sacrificial animals, said Md Abdul Latif Nezami, chairman of the party. Police said these were collected to commit militancy, which is totally false, he added.
The IOJ leaders also asked the government to stop the mass roundups of opposition leaders and activists and expressed their support for the BNP chief's formula on a neutral caretaker government, which was placed in parliament Wednesday.
When asked about Hefajat-e Islam's participation in the 18-party rally today, Mufti Faizulla, secretary general of IOJ, which is a part of Hefajat-e Islam, said Hefajat was not a part of the opposition alliance but it could join the rally if it wanted.
Both the IOJ chief and Mufti Faizullah are leaders of Hefajat.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police imposed an indefinite ban on political gatherings in the capital from October 20.