BNP's Dhaka-14 candidate Tulee sued over hurting religious sentiment

A case has been filed against Sanjida Islam Tulee, the BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-14 constituency and a key coordinator of Maayer Daak (a platform for families of disappearance victims), on allegations of hurting religious sentiments.

The complaint was lodged today (26 November) before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman by a businessman named Hossain Mohammad Anwar alias Anwar Hossain.

The plaintiff's lawyer, Md Mahmudul Hasan, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.

After recording the plaintiff's statement, the court directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct a probe and submit a report on the matter.

According to the case documents, the accused Sanjida Islam Tulee, sister of a disappeared BNP leader, made disparaging comments regarding the Islamic provision of marriage, thereby insulting Islam and hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.

The document mentions Article 41 of the Constitution, which ensures freedom of religious practice as a fundamental right.

It states that "marriage" is a key religious rite in Islam, and as per a verse from the Holy Quran, a Muslim man is permitted to marry up to four wives.

The statement further cites the "Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937," which mandates the application of Islamic Shariah in matters such as marriage, maintenance, and divorce for Muslim citizens.

"While an individual may choose not to practice religion, no one has the right to insult religion or hurt religious beliefs," reads the documents.

"Such acts are punishable under Section 295(A) of the Penal Code," it added.