The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The leaders of the "Samajik Protirodh Committee (SPC)" announced to go for tougher movement if the Women Development Policy would not be implemented immediately and announced to hold grand rally on March 7.

They demanded the suspension of the Khatib of Baitul Mokarram Mosque as he led the fundamentalists to create anarchy violating emergency and to bring the war criminals under trial

These demands were set at a press conference organised by SPC at Kabi Sufia Kamal auditorium at Jatiya Mahila Parishad yesterday to press home their demand.

Earlier they scheduled to hold a grand rally at Central Shahid Minar. Later they were forced to postpone the programme, as the Dhaka Metropolitan Police did not approve their appeal.

They placed five point demands at the press conference. These are: to dissolve the so-called review committee; to de-link the religious organizations from the political parties; to promise to the masses to ensure the equal rights for the women by implementing the policy as per the constitution; to issue press note to clarify the government's situate about the policy; to take firm initiative to implement the policy

Ayasha Khanam, President of SPC, recited these demands while addressing the press conference.

Sharir Kabir was read out of the silent role of the government and its indifference towards the violent act of some people at Baitul Mokaram. He accused the government of its complicity in such acts and demanded the immediate withdrawal of emergency.

The Islamic militants remained silent when our womenfolk are harassed, assaulted and exploited. But they react sharply when they (women) cry for their rights, he added.

Human Rights Worker Barrister Shara Hossain expressed her queries that how can one or two advisers form the review committee without any meeting of advisers' body.

The fundamentalists group has engaged in conspiracy of pulling back the women to keep them behind the light. The contribution of women in the countries economy is noticeable. They should be facilitated with equal rights to be involved more in country's economic development to achieve the millennium development goal, Shara added.

Dr Hamida Hossain of Ayeen O Shalish Kendro; Selina Haque of Bangladesh Mahila Samity; Professor Mamataz Begum of Mahila Muktijuddha Sangsad; Khadiza Lina of BRAC; among others were, present at the press conference.