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Hefazat, Jamaat protest state religion hearing
[Dhaka Tribune] Leaders and activists of radical Islamist platform Hefajat-e-Islam
...a madrassa-based false nose and mustache of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, formed in 2010 to protest against secular education. In 2011 demonstrated violentyly against women's rights and in 2013 held large rallies demanding capital punishment of Shahbag Square protesters and banning women working outside the home...
and Jamaat-e-Islami
...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores...
staged demonstrations in Dhaka, Chittagong and some other areas of the country yesterday.

The Hefazat leaders vowed to wage a tougher movement if state religion was abolished from the constitution after the High Court hearing that resumes tomorrow, after five years of its adjournment.

Then the controversial parliament of HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party
...aka Jatiya Front; a political party established by Bangladictator Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1986 to lend a veneer of respectability to his rule. Since nobody was amused he was forced to resign by popular demand in 1990. The party remains in existence with about a dozen seats in Bangla's parliament...
introduced the provision in 1988.

In 2013, Qawmi madrasa-based Hefazat observed countrywide demonstrations and held two rallies at Motijheel to press home their 13-point demands that include formulation of anti-blasphemy law and ban on free mixing of men and women. The government refused to fulfil the demands terming those contrary to the constitution and other existing laws. Most of the Hefazat leaders are linked to the Islamist parties of BNP-led 20-party alliance.

From a pre-scheduled rally at Andorkilla Mosque in Chittagong after Jumma prayers, Hefazat Secretary General Junaid Babunagari said: "We will lay down our lives, if necessary, to protect Islam as the state religion. None will remain Muslim constitutionally if Islam is left out of the constitution."

Babunagari claimed that they were not out to implement the agenda of any political party. "We are not supposed to help anyone grab state power or topple the government. Our aim is to protect Islam in this country," he said.

"We sacrificed our lives at Shapla Chattar. We are ready to lay down our lives again to protect Islam. We will declare Jihad from Chittagong if Islam is dropped as the state religion. Lovers of Islam will not bow down to such an evil bid," said Mainuddin Ruhi, joint secretary of Hefazat.

In Dhaka, leaders and activists of Shibir also joined the procession and rally organised by Hefazat’s city unit in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. They warned the government of dire consequences if Islam was dropped from the constitution as state religion. From the rally attended by around 4,000 demonstrators, the speakers also rolled their eyes, jumped up and down, and hollered poorly rhymed slogans real loud demanding tough punishment of the atheists.
Posted by: Fred 2016-03-26
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=450321