Sent to the gallows: Time ripe to expose Modi-Hasina nexus, says JI

IJT organises demonstration against BD JI leader’s hanging

BAHAWALPUR: Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba (IJT) activists on Thursday organised a protest demonstration against the hanging of former Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Motiur Rahman Nizami early on Wednesday in Dhaka.

The demonstrators congregated at the University Chowk and rallied to the Press Club. The rally was led by Bahawalpur IJT general secretary Usama Niaz and former general secretary Usman Koraya. Those present on the occasion expressed their deep anguish on the former Bangladesh JI leader’s hanging. They said his only crime was his unflinching love for Pakistan. The IJT activists said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had made a habit of victimising political opponents. They said she had her hands full with victimising them while international organisations like the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and rights activists had been reduced to being silent spectators. This, they said, was condemnable.

They demanded the government break diplomatic ties with Bangladesh over “Sheikh Hasina’s antics.” These, the IJT activists said, included incarcerating and hanging BD JI leaders. Those present said hanging and imprisoning them like hardened criminals was tantamount to murder of humanity.

The demonstrators said Nizami had been sent to the gallows for his unwavering support for Pakistan. They said this was something worthy of pondering about for the government and every Pakistani citizen. The protestors said blood was being spilled in the name of incidents that had taken place over four decades ago in 1971.

The IJT activists said the Bangladesh premier had been sowing hatred for Pakistan at India’s behest. They said such a policy would have adverse consequences. The demonstrators said the Bangladesh International War Crimes Tribunal lacked legitimacy and credibility.

The protestors said they were at a loss to understand why the Pakistan goverment had desisted from highlighting the issue worldwide. They said the time was ripe to expose the Modi-Hasina joint venture. The demonstrators said pressure ought to be exerted on the Bangladesh government to put an end to its vindictive actions and prevent it from victimising political opponents, especially the JI in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2016.