Voicing concern over the recent arrest of the religious leaders and alem-ulema in ‘false’ cases, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday demanded their immediate release.
"I earlier said the government launched a crackdown taking advantage of the lockdown over the last few days. It’s arresting BNP leaders and activists, religious leaders and alem-ulema indiscriminately,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, the BNP leader said it is regrettable that the respected alem-ulema and religious leaders are being arrested and many ‘false’ cases are being filed against them. "I call for the immediate release of the alem-ulema and withdrawal of all these cases.”
He also urged the government to free the BNP leaders and activists arrested in many ‘false’ cases.
Fakhrul accused the government of hurting the sentiment of devoted Muslims in Bangladesh by arresting the alem-ulema in the month of Ramadan. “Religious people in the country won’t accept insulting and harassing the religious leaders in this way.”
He said BNP has no political link with Hefazat-e-Islam as it is completely a religious organisation, not a political party, reports UNB.