Latif Siddiqui and Professor Hafizur Blocked During Roundtable Discussion at DRU

A tense situation arose on Thursday morning at a roundtable discussion held at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU). Abdul Latif Siddiqui, a former minister and expelled member of the Awami League presidium, along with Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, a professor in the Law Department of Dhaka University, were blocked and surrounded by a group of individuals. The group, identifying themselves as “July Warriors,” disrupted the discussion with slogans.

The roundtable, titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh,” was organized by Manch 71. Dr. Kamal Hossain was scheduled to attend as a special guest but did not appear. Although the discussion was planned to start at 10 a.m., it was delayed by almost an hour due to the disruption.

Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman delivered the opening speech, stating that efforts are underway to alter the country’s constitution, driven by Jamaat-Shibir and certain political forces. Immediately after his speech, the “July Warriors” entered the hall with a procession, raising slogans, tearing banners, and blocking participants.

By around 12:30 p.m., police arrived at the scene and took custody of Latif Siddiqui, Professor Hafizur Rahman, and at least 15 others. They were later transported in a police van.

Former Minister Latif Siddiqui commented, “I came here only because I was invited. I have no connection with the Awami League. I was not prepared for such an incident.”

On the other hand, a member of the “July Warriors,” Al Amin Russell, claimed, “The degenerate Awami League and its associates were conspiring here. We will not accept that under any circumstances.”

Shamim Hossain, a leader of Jamaat from Paltan Police Station, was also present. He alleged that many participants in the roundtable were “involved in the killings of 1971,” which is why they handed them over to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands.

SN Md. Nazrul Islam, Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, stated that Latif Siddiqui was taken into custody, but no decision has been made yet regarding any case or other actions against him.

Later in the day, it was reported that arrangements were being made to transfer them to the Detective Branch office through Shahbagh Police Station.