Abdul Latif Siddiqui Former minister for post, telecommunication and information technology Abdul Latif Siddique, who has been removed from cabinet and expelled from ruling Awami League for making derogatory remarks against hajj and the prophet (PBUH), returned to Dhaka from Kolkata on Sunday night. The flight of Air India which carried Latif Siddique reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airportat about 8:40pm, according to a police official at the Airport. He stayed in India for last few weeks. After completing the immigration formalities, the former minister spent some time at VIP lounge Dolon Chapa at the airport and then left the airport reportedly for unspecified destination. Apart from removal from cabinet, ruling Awami League also expelled Latif Siddique from party. He was a presidium member of the ruling party. Meanwhile, speculations are rife in the political circle of the capital over Latif Siddique’s sudden return to the country and the apparent inaction of the police although a number of arrest warrants have been issued in cases filed against him with different courts of the country. Under such circumstances, how could he return to the country, is the question being asked by many. However, it is argued by some people that although removed from cabinet and party, he is still a member of parliament. Under the constitution, a sitting MP cannot be arrested without permission from the speaker. Latif Siddique may have taken the advantage of this provision. Although, he is whereabouts is unknown now, it is also there in the air that Siddique may even join the parliament session today (Monday). Latif Siddique, at a views exchange meeting in New York on September 28, said that he was against the Muslim practice of hajj pilgrimage and Tablighi Jamaat. He also made derogatory remark against the prophet (PBUH). He said: “During hajj, too much of manpower is wasted. Over 20 lakh people have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj. They’ve no work, no production and they only cause deduction.” “Some 20 lakh Tablig Jamaat people get together annually who don’t do any work except halting traffic movement across the country,” he added. Such remarks of Siddique created huge controversy in the country. Latif’s anti-Islamic remarks drew widespread criticisms from various quarters, mainly the Islamic parties and BNP. A number of cases were also filed against him across the country. He is also facing arrest warrants in these cases. He was removed from cabinet for the controversial remarks on October 12. As per the notification, the President ordered the termination of the minister Latif Siddique from the cabinet according to Article 58 (1) (C) of the constitution. Ruling AL also expelled him from party on October 24. The decision was taken at a meeting of the AL Central Working Committee at Ganabhaban with Prime Minister and AL president Sheikh Hasina in the chair. His controversial remarks also made ruling AL high command aggrieved and the party took stern steps against him. Earlier, he was served with a show cause notice on October 12 as per the party constitution and he also replied to that. Finding his reply unacceptable the party working committee expelled Latif Siddique. On October 12, the AL central working committee at its meeting expelled Latif from the party presidium. His primary membership was also suspended. Prime Minister and party president presided over the working committee meeting. On October 3, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a press conference affirmed that a process was underway to remove Abdul Latif Siddique from the cabinet as well as her party. She also said it is not the government but Latif Siddique is in discomfort for his derogatory remarks, and he will have to pay the price for this.
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