Latif’s removal nothing but 'eyewash': Gayeshwar

Bangladesh Nationalist Party senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday said Latif's removal from the cabinet and Awami Legume presidium was nothing but 'eyewash'.

“Abdul Latif Siddique has been removed from the cabinet and the party as people have turned aggrieved for his derogatory remarks on religion. So, the government action is nothing but eyewash,” he said.

Addressing a programme, Gayeshwar further said, “Latif Siddique can be tried under the country’s criminal law. There’ll remain no difference between Latif’s stance and Sheikh Hasina’s as long as is not arrested and put under trial.”

Bangladesh Democratic Council arranged the meeting at the Jatiya Press Club in memory of Language Movement hero Abdul Matin.

Abdul Matin, popularly known as Bhasha Matin, died on Wednesday at the age of 88.

Hours after his removal from the cabinet, Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) on Sunday expelled Abdul Latif Siddique from the party presidium for hurting the religious sentiment of Muslims and acting against the party constitution.

At a views-exchange meeting with expatriates from Tangail in New York on September 28, Latif Siddique made disparaging remarks on hajj, one of the main pillars of Islam, and Tabligh Jamaat and Prime Minister’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

Recalling the outstanding contributions of Bhasha Matin to the nation, the BNP leader said Matin not only fought for the mother tongue but also worked till his death for establishing a society based on rights and fairness.

He criticised the government for not showing due state honour to Matin. “He was not given the state honour as those now in the government failed to understand Bhasha Matin’s dignity.”