An Islamist group in Bangladesh has stoked a controversy after it demanded removal of the country's Hindu Supreme Court Chief Justice and sought cutting down funding for Bengali New Year celebrations terming it as 'haram'.
Olema league which claims to be an affiliate of ruling Awami league staged a human chain protest in the capital against government's funding for the celebration of Bengali New Year, Pohela Baishakh and demanded removal of Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, who is a Hindu. The grouping asked the government to cut down funding for Pahela Baishakh celebrations and divert the money to Muslim festivals like Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi.
Several secular groups and social platforms criticised the Olema league and demanded an explanation from the Awami league on its relations with it as senior ruling party leaders were previously seen joining their programmes.
The Daily Star' in a front-page commentary wrote, "So then, is our government upholding a 'haram' culture as it is a public holidayIJ’’